The combined action of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and grape proanthocyanidins on a rat model of diet-induced metabolic alterations

Food Funct. 2016 Aug 10;7(8):3516-23. doi: 10.1039/c6fo00679e. Epub 2016 Jul 15.

Abstract

It has been suggested that food components such as ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-3 PUFAs) and (poly)phenols counteract diet-induced metabolic alterations by common or complementary mechanisms. To examine the effects of a combination of ω-3 PUFAs and (poly)phenols on such alterations, adult Wistar-Kyoto rats were fed an obesogenic high-fat high-sucrose diet supplemented, or not, for 24 weeks with: eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)/docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) 1 : 1 (16.6 g kg(-1) feed); proanthocyanidin-rich grape seed extract (GSE, 0.8 g kg(-1) feed); or EPA/DHA 1 : 1 + GSE. Body weight, feed intake, and plasma glucose were evaluated every 6 weeks, while adipose tissue weight, insulin, glucagon, ghrelin, leptin, adiponectin, cholesterol, and triglycerides were evaluated at the end of the experiment. ω-3 PUFAs reduced plasma leptin and cholesterol levels, but did not modify diet-induced perigonadal fat or plasma insulin levels; while GSE increased plasma triglyceride levels. The combined action of ω-3 PUFAs and the proanthocyanidins reduced plasma insulin and leptin, as well as partially prevented perigonadal fat accumulation. While separate supplementation with ω-3 PUFAs or grape proanthocyanidins may not counteract all the key metabolic changes induced by a high-energy-dense diet, the combination of both supplements reverts altered insulin, leptin and triglyceride levels to normal.

MeSH terms

  • Adiponectin / blood
  • Adiposity / drug effects
  • Animals
  • Blood Glucose / metabolism
  • Body Weight
  • Cholesterol / blood
  • Diet / adverse effects
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Docosahexaenoic Acids / pharmacology*
  • Eicosapentaenoic Acid / pharmacology*
  • Female
  • Ghrelin / blood
  • Glucagon / blood
  • Insulin / blood
  • Leptin / blood
  • Metabolic Syndrome / drug therapy*
  • Proanthocyanidins / pharmacology*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Inbred WKY
  • Triglycerides / blood
  • Vitis / chemistry

Substances

  • Adiponectin
  • Blood Glucose
  • Ghrelin
  • Insulin
  • Leptin
  • Proanthocyanidins
  • Triglycerides
  • Docosahexaenoic Acids
  • Glucagon
  • Cholesterol
  • Eicosapentaenoic Acid