scholarly journals Intake of Watermelon or Its Byproducts Alters Glucose Metabolism, the Microbiome, and Hepatic Proinflammatory Metabolites in High-Fat–Fed Male C57BL/6 J Mice

2019 ◽  
Vol 150 (3) ◽  
pp. 434-442 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandra R Becraft ◽  
Marlena L Sturm ◽  
Rufa L Mendez ◽  
Si Hong Park ◽  
Sang In Lee ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Background Watermelon intake has demonstrated effects on blood pressure regulation along with other health benefits. Objective We hypothesized that intake of whole watermelon and products made from watermelon rind (WR) and watermelon skin (WS) would remediate metabolic complications in C57BL/6 J male mice fed a diet modeling a Western-style diet. Methods Ten-week-old male C57BL/6 J mice were provided either a low-fat (LF) diet [10% fat (by energy), 8% sucrose (by energy) and no added cholesterol], a high-fat (HF) diet [45% fat (by energy), 20% kcal sucrose (by energy), and 1% (w/w) cholesterol], or an HF diet plus WS, WR, or watermelon flesh (WF) for 10 wk. Dried WF was provided at 8% of total energy (equivalent to 2 servings/d) and watermelon skin and rind were added at 2.25% (w/w, dry weight of additives) of diet. Animals were provided experimental diets ad libitum. Body weights, food intake, and glucose tolerance were determined. Serum insulin, inflammatory markers, microbiome, and the relative hepatic concentrations of 709 biochemicals were measured postmortem. Results The final body weight of the LF control group was significantly lower than that of the HF-fed control group (32.8 ± 0.9 g compared with 43.0 ± 1.7 g, P ≤ 0.05). Mice in treatment groups fed HF supplemented with watermelon products had final body weights similar to those of the HF-fed control mice. Serum insulin concentrations were reduced by ∼40% in mice fed an HF diet with WR supplementation compared with mice fed an HF diet alone (P ≤ 0.05). Depending on the individual species or group, microbiome populations changed significantly. Supplementation with WF resulted in a return to the basal hepatic concentrations of monohydroxy fatty acids and eicosanoids observed in LF-fed mice (P ≤ 0.05). Conclusions In obese male mice, supplementation with each of the watermelon products to an HF diet improved fasting blood glucose, circulating serum insulin concentrations, and changes in hepatic metabolite accumulation. At a modest level of supplementation to an HF diet, fiber-rich additives made from WR and WS further improved glucose metabolism and energy efficiency and shifted the microbiome composition.

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Neil Shay ◽  
Marlena Sturm ◽  
Alexandra Becraft ◽  
Rufa Mendez ◽  
Si-Hong Park ◽  
...  

Abstract Objectives Grapes are nutrient-dense, particularly in polyphenolic compounds. Previous research demonstrates benefits of whole grape and grape skin, seed, and polyphenol intake on glucose homeostasis along with other health benefits. We tested the hypothesis that intake of 4 servings per day of table grape would remediate metabolic complications in C57BL/6 J (C57) male mice fed a high-fat diet with added cholesterol and fructose diet modeling an obesogenic and diabetogenic western-style diet. Methods Groups of mice (n = 12) were provided either low-fat plus placebo diet (LF, 10% kcal fat), high-fat plus placebo (HF, 45% kcal fat), or HF plus grape powder (HF + G), for 8 weeks. Grape powder was provided at ∼10% of total energy of diet. C57 mice were provided experimental diets ad libitum. Body weights, food intake, and glucose tolerance were determined. Postmortem, inflammatory markers, cecal microbiome, and the relative concentrations of hepatic metabolites were determined. Results Fasting blood glucose was reduced in the HF + G group compared to HF-fed mice. The glucose tolerance test demonstrated that the Area Under the Curve (AUC) was also reduced. Further, a significant decrease in circulating levels of insulin were observed with HF + G supplementation. The cecal microbiome from HF + G fed mice overlapped with both the HF and LF controls, but also had characteristic shifts that were unique to grape powder consumption. Metabolomic analysis indicated grape consumption impacted inflammation and β-oxidation biomarkers indicating some remediation of hepatic pathologies associated with HF food consumption. The most significantly different hepatic metabolites included grape-derived S-methymethionine and trigonelline, while other murine hepatic metabolites significantly regulated by diet included myo-inositol and 15-HETE. Conclusions Table grape supplementation with a HF western-style diet significantly improved fasting blood glucose, circulating insulin concentrations, and HOMA-IR in C576J/Bl male mice. demonstrating an anti-diabetic effect of grape powder. At modest level of supplementation equivalent to 4 servings/day, grape powder also improved microbiome composition and changed relative levels of specific hepatic metabolites. Up-regulation of 15-HETE by diet suggests grape powder consumption may enhance PPARγ-directed gene expression, consistent with increases in glucose sensitivity observed in this study. Funding Sources California Table Grape Commission.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Fen Yuan ◽  
Dingkun Wang ◽  
Leyi Ma ◽  
Xin Qin ◽  
Jing Gong ◽  
...  

Huanglian-Renshen-Decoction (HRD) is widely used to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in China. However, the underlying mechanism is unclear. We aimed to investigate the mechanism by which HRD regulates the glucose level. Forty 7-8-week-old db/db (BSK) mice were randomly assigned to the following four groups: model, low dose HRD (LHRD), high dose HRD (HHRD), and saxagliptin (SAX). Additionally, 10 db/m mice were assigned to control group. The experimental mice were administered 3.03g/kg/d and 6.06g/kg/d of HRD in the LHRD and HHRD groups, respectively, and 10mg/kg/d saxagliptin in the SAX group for 8 weeks. The control and model groups were supplied with distilled water. After the intervention, the pancreas and blood were collected and tested. Compared with that of model group, the fasting blood glucose (FBG) was significantly decreased in all intervention groups (p < 0.05 or 0.01), whereas fasting serum insulin (FINS) was increased significantly in both HHRD and SAX groups. The immunofluorescence images showed that the mass of insulin+ cells was increased and that of glucagon+ cells was reduced obviously in experimental groups compared to those of the model group. In addition, the coexpression of insulin, glucagon, and PDX1 was decreased in HHRD group, and the level of caspase 12 in islet was decreased significantly in all intervention groups. However, little difference was found in the number and morphology of islet, and the expression of ki67, bcl2, bax, caspase 3, and cleaved-caspase 3 in the pancreas among groups. Interestingly, the cleaved-Notch1 level was increased and the Ngn3 level in islet was decreased significantly in HHRD group. The HRD showed dose-dependent effects on glucose metabolism improvement through maintenance of β cell identity via a mechanism that might involve the Notch1/Ngn3 signal pathway in db/db mice.


2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 596-604 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wenqi Yang ◽  
Ling Liu ◽  
Yuan Wei ◽  
Chunlu Fang ◽  
Fu Zhou ◽  
...  

Objective The protective effects of exercise against glucose dysmetabolism have been generally reported. However, the mechanism by which exercise improves glucose homeostasis remains poorly understood. The FGF21–adiponectin axis participates in the regulation of glucose metabolism. Elevated levels of FGF21 and decreased levels of adiponectin in obesity indicate FGF21–adiponectin axis dysfunction. Hence, we investigated whether exercise could improve the FGF21–adiponectin axis impairment and ameliorate disturbed glucose metabolism in diet-induced obese mice. Methods Eight-week-old C57BL/6J mice were randomly assigned to three groups: low-fat diet control group, high-fat diet group and high-fat diet plus exercise group. Glucose metabolic parameters, the ability of FGF21 to induce adiponectin, FGF21 receptors and co-receptor levels and adipose tissue inflammation were evaluated after 12 weeks of intervention. Results Exercise training led to reduced levels of fasting blood glucose and insulin, improved glucose tolerance and better insulin sensitivity in high-fat diet-induced obese mice. Although serum FGF21 levels were not significantly changed, both total and high-molecular-weight adiponectin concentrations were markedly enhanced by exercise. Importantly, exercise protected against high-fat diet-induced impaired ability of FGF21 to stimulate adiponectin secretion. FGF21 co-receptor, β-klotho, as well as receptors, FGFR1 and FGFR2, were upregulated by exercise. We also found that exercise inhibited adipose tissue inflammation, which may contribute to the improvement in the FGF21–adiponectin axis impairment. Conclusions Our data indicate exercise protects against high-fat diet-induced FGF21–adiponectin axis impairment, and may thereby exert beneficial effects on glucose metabolism.


2014 ◽  
Vol 92 (5) ◽  
pp. 405-417 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xian-Wei Li ◽  
Yan Liu ◽  
Wei Hao ◽  
Jie-Ren Yang

Sequoyitol decreases blood glucose, improves glucose intolerance, and enhances insulin signaling in ob/ob mice. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of sequoyitol on diabetic nephropathy in rats with type 2 diabetes mellitus and the mechanism of action. Diabetic rats, induced with a high-fat diet and a low dose of streptozotocin, and were administered sequoyitol (12.5, 25.0, and 50.0 mg·(kg body mass)−1·d−1) for 6 weeks. The levels of fasting blood glucose (FBG), serum insulin, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and serum creatinine (SCr) were measured. The expression levels of p22phox, p47phox, NF-κB, and TGF-β1 were measured using immunohistochemisty, real-time PCR, and (or) Western blot. The total antioxidative capacity (T-AOC), as well as the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were also determined. The results showed that sequoyitol significantly decreased FBG, BUN, and SCr levels, and increased the insulin levels in diabetic rats. The level of T-AOC was significantly increased, while ROS and MDA levels and the expression of p22phox, p47phox, NF-κB, and TGF-β1 were decreased with sequoyitol treatment both in vivo and in vitro. These results suggested that sequoyitol ameliorates the progression of diabetic nephropathy in rats, as induced by a high-fat diet and a low dose of streptozotocin, through its glucose-lowering effects, antioxidant activity, and regulation of TGF-β1 expression.


2011 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 520 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yun Liu ◽  
Hong Jiang ◽  
Ling-Yun He ◽  
Wu-Jian Huang ◽  
Xiao-Yu He ◽  
...  

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) may result from hypersensitivity to insulin, which is negatively regulated by uncoupling protein (UCP)-2. Because cholesterol side-chain cleavage enzyme (CYP11A1) is closely linked to PCOS, the expression of UCP-2 and CYP11A1 in ovarian tissues from PCOS patients was examined in the present study. Twelve PCOS patients with hyperandrogenaemia who underwent laparoscopic ovarian wedge resection and 12 age-matched control patients who underwent contralateral ovarian biopsy were enrolled in the study. UCP-2 expression in early stage (primordial, primary and secondary) and late stage (sinus and mature) follicles was examined using immunohistochemistry, whereas UCP-2 and CYP11A1 mRNA and protein levels in ovarian tissue were determined using quantitative reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction and western blot analyses, respectively. UCP-2 expression increased significantly with follicular development in both control and PCOS tissue, with expression in early stage follicles from PCOS patients significantly greater than that in controls. In addition, both UCP-2 and CYP11A1mRNA and protein levels, mean fasting blood glucose concentrations and fasting serum insulin levels were significantly higher in PCOS patients compared with the control group. Finally, a significant correlation between UCP-2 and CYP11A1 expression was found in PCOS but not control patients. In conclusion, in PCOS patients, there was a correlation between UCP-2 and CYP11A1 expression, which was significantly higher than in the control group. These changes in UCP-2 and CYP11A1 expression may mediate follicle development in PCOS.


2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (3) ◽  
pp. 162-169 ◽  
Author(s):  
Danchun Lan ◽  
Nenggui Xu ◽  
Jian Sun ◽  
Zhixing Li ◽  
Rongzhen Liao ◽  
...  

Objective To investigate the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on endothelial dysfunction related to high fat diet (HFD)-induced insulin resistance through the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)-protein kinase B (Akt) signalling pathway. Methods Twenty-four male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed a regular diet (Control group, n=8) or a HFD (n=16) for 12 weeks to induce an insulin resistance model. HFD-fed rats were divided into two groups that remained untreated (HFD group, n=8) or received electroacupuncture (HFD+EA group, n=8). EA was applied at PC6, ST36, SP6 and BL23. At the end of the experiment, fasting blood glucose (FBG), serum insulin (FINS), serum C-peptide (C-P) and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) indices were determined. Pancreatic islet samples were subjected to histopathological examination. The thoracic aorta was immunostained with anti-rat insulin receptor substrate (IRS)-1, Akt and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) antibodies. mRNA and protein expression of IRS-1, PI3K, Akt2 and eNOS in the vascular endothelium were determined by real-time PCR and Western blot analysis, respectively. Results The bodyweight increase of the HFD+EA group was smaller than that of the untreated HFD group. Compared with the HFD group, the levels of FBG, FINS, C-P and HOMA-IR in the HFD+EA group decreased significantly (P<0.01). Histopathological evaluation indicated that EA improved pancreatic islet inflammation. The expression of endothelial markers, such as IRS-1, PI3K, Akt2 and eNOS, decreased in the HFD group, while EA treatment appeared to ameliorate the negative impact of diet. Conclusion EA may improve insulin resistance and attenuate endothelial dysfunction, and therefore could play a potential role in the prevention or treatment of diabetic complications and cardiovascular disease through the PI3K/Akt signalling pathway.


2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (4.26) ◽  
pp. 136
Author(s):  
Irfiansyah Irwadi ◽  
Hayuris Kinandita ◽  
Jamaluddin Mahmud ◽  
Lilik Herawati

Aim: Antioxidants, such as vitamin C and vitamin E, is widely used as supplements. The aim of this study is to analyze the profile of blood glucose, serum insulin, and  HOMA in active teenagers after vitamin C and vitamin E supplementation.Methods: Subjects (14-16 y.o) consisted of 12 boys and 5 girls, divided into 3 groups: control (4 boys, 2 girls), ‘moderate dose’ of vitamin C and vitamin E combination group (5 boys, 1 girls), and ‘high dose’ of vitamin C and vitamin E combination group (3 boys, 2 girls). The treatment was given for 5 days. Vitamin C and vitamin E for ‘moderate dose’ was 500mg;  200IU, and for ‘high dose’ was 1000mg; 400IU. Fasting Blood Glucose (FGB) and 1 hour BG (1hr_BG), fasting serum insulin (FSI) and 1 hour SI (1hr_SI) was collected after treatment. We also calculated the HOMA-IR and HOMA-β.Result: There was no significant difference on FBG, 1hr_BG, FSI, 1hr_SI, HOMA-IR, and HOMA-β (p≥ 0.05). However, mean FBG and 1hr_BG tended to be higher on the treatment groups. The control group had the lowest HOMA-IR and the highest HOMA-β.Conclusions: We suggest that the supplementation of vitamin C and vitamin E in active teenagers is not essential on glucose homeostasis.  


2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
JuRyoun Soh ◽  
Dae Young Kwon ◽  
Youn-Soo Cha

We found that Chongkukjang, traditional unsalted fermented soybean, has an antiobesity effect in mice with diet-induced obesity and examined the changes in hepatic transcriptional profiles using cDNA microarray. High-fat diet-induced obese C57BL/6J mice were divided into three groups: normal-diet control group (NDcon, 10% of total energy from fat), high-fat diet control group (HDcon, 45% of total energy from fat), and HDcon plus 40% Chongkukjang (HDC) and were fed for 9 weeks. The HDC group mice were pair-fed (isocalorie) with mice in the HDcon group. Final body weight, epididymal fat accumulation, serum total cholesterol, and LDL-cholesterol were improved in HDC group. The cDNA microarray analyses revealed marked alterations in the expression of about 800 genes. Several genes involved in fatty acid catabolism (Acaa2, Mgll, Phyh, Slc27a2, and Slc27a5) were normalized by Chongkukjang consumption. This study showed beneficial effects of Chongkukjang consumption in preventing diet-induced obesity and related metabolic abnormalities.


2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hui-Yu Huang ◽  
Mallikarjuna Korivi ◽  
Ying-Ying Chaing ◽  
Ting-Yi Chien ◽  
Ying-Chieh Tsai

Pleurotus tuber-regiumcontains polysaccharides that are responsible for pharmacological actions, and medicinal effects of these polysaccharides have not yet been studied in diabetic rats. We examined the antidiabetic, antihyperlipidemic, and antioxidant properties ofP. tuber-regiumpolysaccharides in experimental diabetic rats. Forty rats were equally assigned as diabetic high-fat (DHF) diet and polysaccharides treated DHF groups (DHF+1P, DHF+2P, and DHF+3P, 20 mg/kg bodyweight/8-week). Diabetes was induced by chronic low-dose streptozotocin injections and a high-fat diet to mimic type 2 diabetes. Polysaccharides (1P, 2P, and 3P) were extracted from three different strains ofP. tuber-regium. Fasting blood glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels substantially decreased, while serum insulin levels were restored by polysaccharides treatment compared to DHF. Furthermore, plasma total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein levels were significantly(P<0.01)lower in polysaccharide groups. High-density lipoprotein levels were attenuated with polysaccharides against diabetes condition. Polysaccharides inhibited(P<0.01)the lipid peroxidation index (malondialdehyde), and restored superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities in the liver of diabetic rats. The antihyperglycemic property of polysaccharides perhaps boosts the antioxidant system that attenuates oxidative stress. We emphasize thatP. tuber-regiumpolysaccharides can be considered as an alternative medicine to treat hyperglycemia and oxidative stress in diabetic rats.


Author(s):  
Zhen-hong Xia ◽  
Wen-bo Chen ◽  
Li Shi ◽  
Xue Jiang ◽  
Ke Li ◽  
...  

Curcumin is the main secondary metabolites of Curcuma longa and other Curcuma spp, and has been reported to have some potential in preventing and treating some physiological disorders. This study investigated the effect curcumin in inhibiting high-fat diet and streptozotocin (STZ)-induced hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia in rats. Twenty-six male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats (170-190 g) were randomly divided into a standard food pellet diet group (Control group), a high-fat diet and streptozotocin group (HF+STZ group), and a high-fat diet combined with curcumin and STZ group (HF+ Cur +STZ group). Compared with the HF+STZ group, the HF+Cur+STZ group exhibited significantly reduced fasting blood glucose (FBG), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), alanine aminotransferase (AST) and aspartate transaminase (ALT) levels, and liver coefficients; in the livers of these rats, the expression of malondialdehyde (MDA) and Bax was downregulated, whereas that of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and Bcl-2 was upregulated. Moreover, the liver histology of these rats was improved and resembled that of the control rats. These results suggest that curcumin prevents high-fat diet and STZ-induced hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia, mainly via anti-oxidant and anti-apoptotic mechanisms in the liver.


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