Adipose tissue remodelling by polyphenols in obese rats

Identifier:  TDX:2649

Handle: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11797/TDX2649

Authors:  Pascual Serrano, Aïda

Abstract:
Metabolic disturbances associated with obesity correlate with a failure of white adipose tissue (WAT) to expand. WAT expansion occurs through hypertrophy (increased adipocyte size) and/or hyperplasia (increased adipocyte number). Hypertrophy is associated with obesity-related disorders while hyperplasia protects against metabolic disruptions such as insulin resistance and dyslipidaemia. Dietary polyphenols, particularly grape seed proanthocyanidins, ameliorate many metabolic syndrome (MS) components without a significant reduction of body weight. The aim of the present thesis was to evaluate the effectiveness of specific polyphenols to prevent or counteract obesity-associated WAT dysfunction through remodelling it. For this, dietary or pharmacological doses of a grape seed proanthocyanidin extract (GSPE), Gallic Acid (GA) or Resveratrol (RSV) were used in different in vivo studies with diet-induced obese rats. Histological analyses were performed in subcutaneous and/or visceral WAT fat depots to evaluate variations in adipocyte size and/or number. Moreover, gene expression of markers of adipogenesis, lipolysis, browning, lipid oxidation and inflammation was analysed in WAT as well as serum metabolites and hormones related to lipid and glucose metabolism to evaluate the impact of WAT remodelling in whole body metabolism. Results show that polyphenol with different chemical structures, flavonoids and non-flavonoids, were capable of remodelling adipose tissue in both a preventive and corrective manner in obesity. This remodelling effect was associated to the improvement of lipid and glucose homeostasis. Thus, WAT remodelling could contribute to the beneficial effects of polyphenols in obesity-related diseases and MS. Therefore, the incorporation of polyphenol-rich foods to the diet or nutraceuticals could be useful for the treatment of metabolic disorders in obesity.