Cinnamtannin A2, a tetrameric procyanidin, increases GLP-1 and insulin secretion in mice

Biosci Biotechnol Biochem. 2013;77(4):888-91. doi: 10.1271/bbb.130095. Epub 2013 Apr 7.

Abstract

Procyanidins are oligomers and polymers of flavan-3-ols consisting of (-)-epicatechin subunits. In this study, we isolated and purified dimeric, trimeric and tetrameric procyanidins from cacao liquor and investigated their influence on the "incretin effect" as compared to the monomer, (-)-epicatechin in mice. Cinnamtannin A2 specifically increased the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and insulin secretion levels in the plasma after 60 min administration. As evidence of the action of insulin, activation of insulin receptor and insulin receptor substrate-1 was observed in the soleus muscle. These results indicate that the intake of cinnamtannin A2 may improve hyperglycemia through an incretin-like effect, accompanied by activation of the insulin-signaling pathway.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anthocyanins / chemistry*
  • Anthocyanins / pharmacology*
  • Dimerization*
  • Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 / blood
  • Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 / metabolism*
  • Insulin / blood
  • Insulin / metabolism*
  • Insulin Secretion
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred ICR
  • Muscle, Skeletal / cytology
  • Muscle, Skeletal / drug effects
  • Muscle, Skeletal / metabolism
  • Phosphorylation / drug effects
  • Receptor, Insulin / metabolism

Substances

  • Anthocyanins
  • Insulin
  • cinnamtannin A2
  • Glucagon-Like Peptide 1
  • Receptor, Insulin