Cinnamon intake alleviates the combined effects of dietary-induced insulin resistance and acute stress on brain mitochondria

To assess the interaction between dietary and emotional stresses, we measured in brain mitochondria of insulin resistant rats: Ca2+retention capacity, respiration, ROS, enzymatic activities and signaling parameters. Stress delayed (43 %) the opening of mPTP by the Ca2+. The cafeteria diet dramatically decreased the amount of Ca2+ (13%) required to open the mPTP under stress, but cinnamon resulted in a partial recovery (30%). Antioxidant properties or targets on the PI3K-AKT-GSK3β and MAPK-P38 pathways might be involved in this corrective effect of cinnamon.87