Studies reported the effects of
polyphenols but not for grape
polyphenols towards
obesity. We analysed the effects of a
polyphenolic grape seed extract (GSE) on
obesity and
oxidative stress in hamsters receiving a high-fat diet (HFD). Three groups of hamsters received a standard diet (
STD), or a HFD plus a daily gavage with
water (Control, HFD) or a
solution of GSE (HFD + GSE) for 12 wk.
Plasma glucose,
triglycerides (TG),
insulin,
leptin and
adiponectin were measured.
Oxidative stress was assessed by
cardiac production of
superoxide anion and
NAD(P)H oxidase expression. After 12 wk, HFD increased
abdominal fat as compared with standards. GSE avoided this feature. HFD
led to higher
plasma glucose, TG,
insulin and greater
insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) values. GSE prevented in part these effects, reducing insulinemia and leptinemia by 16.5 and 45%, respectively, whereas
adiponectin level increased by 61% compared with
obese controls. GSE lowered
glycemia and HOMA-IR and strongly prevented
cardiac production of
superoxide by 74% and
NAD(P)H oxidase expression by 30%. This is the first time that chronic consumption of grape
phenolics is shown to reduce
obesity development and related
metabolic pathways including
adipokine secretion and
oxidative stress.
