Article ID Journal Published Year Pages File Type
1925459 Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics 2012 10 Pages PDF
Abstract

In this study, we investigated whether cacao liquor procyanidin (CLPr) extract, which consists of 4.3% catechin, 6.1% epicatechin, 39.4% procyanidins and others, ameliorated hyperglycemia and obesity in C57BL/6 mice fed a control or high-fat diet for 13 weeks. CLPr suppressed high-fat diet-induced hyperglycemia, glucose intolerance and fat accumulation in white adipose tissue. CLPr also promoted translocation of glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) and phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase α (AMPKα) in the plasma membrane of skeletal muscle and brown adipose tissue. Phosphorylation of AMPKα was also enhanced in the liver and white adipose tissue. CLPr up-regulated the gene and protein expression levels of uncoupling protein (UCP)-1 in brown adipose tissue and UCP-3 in skeletal muscle. These results indicate that CLPr is a beneficial food material for the prevention of hyperglycemia and obesity. Activation of AMPKα, translocation of GLUT4 and up-regulation of UCP expression in skeletal muscle and adipose tissue are involved in the molecular mechanisms by which CLPr prevents hyperglycemia and obesity.

► Cacao liquor procyanidins (CLPrs) activate AMPKα in high-fat diet-fed mice. ► CLPr promotes GLUT4 translocation in skeletal muscle and brown adipose tissue. ► CLPr induces the expression of UCPs and PGC-1α in muscle, liver and adipose tissue. ► CLPr increases the secretion of adiponectin from white adipose tissue. ► These effects of CLPr are involved in the prevention of hyperglycemia and obesity.

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