This study investigated the protective role of lotus seedpod oligomeric procyanidins (LSOPC) and synbiotics (Bifidobacterium Bb-12 and xylo-oligosaccharide) against high fat and streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes. Administration of LSOPC or synbiotics had no effect on blood glucose in normal mice. Treatments with LSOPC for 12 weeks markedly reduced blood glucose, FFA, endotoxin, and GHbA1c and improved glucose homeostasis, lipid metabolism, and insulin levels. In addition, administration of LSOPC significantly reversed the increase of mTOR and p66Shc in liver, skeletal muscle, and white adipose tissue (WAT). LSOPC significantly increased glucose uptake and glycolysis in liver, skeletal muscle, and WAT while improving heat generation in brown adipose tissue (BAT) and inhibiting gluconeogenesis and lipogenesis in liver. Furthermore, synbiotics strengthened the improving effect of LSOPC. These findings demonstrated that LSOPC and synbiotics may regulate glucose disposal in peripheral target tissues through the p66Shc-mTOR signaling pathway.
Keywords: glucose homeostasis; lotus seed oligomeric procyanidins; mTOR; synbiotics; type 2 diabetes.