Modulating the expression of genes associated with hepatic lipid metabolism, lipoperoxidation and inflammation by cocoa, cocoa extract and cocoa flavanols related to hepatic steatosis induced by a hypercaloric diet

Is it possible to treat nonalcoholic liver disease using a flavanol-based nutraceutical approach? Basic and clinical data

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is characterized by a spectrum of diseases, ranging from simple steatosis to hepatocellular carcinoma. The main factors for NAFLD are closely related to obesity, insulin resistance, intestinal microbiota alterations, hyperinsulinism, low-grade systemic inflammation, nitroxidative stress, lipid peroxidation, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Currently, the treatment of NAFLD is based on diet and exercise because, to date, there is no specific pharmacological agent, already approved, that raises the need for new therapeutic strategies. Nutraceuticals, such as polyphenols, have potential beneficial effects for health. In this article, the beneficial effects of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) and (-)-epicatechin (EC) are discussed. EGCG is the main catechin in green tea, which has shown in various studies its potential effect preventing and treating NAFLD since it has shown antihyperlipidemic, anti-inflammatory, antifibrotic, antioxidant, and improvement of liver lipid metabolism. However, it has been found that excessive consumption may cause hepatotoxicity. EC is widely distributed in nature (fruits and vegetables). This flavanol has shown many beneficial effects, including antihypertensive, anti-inflammatory, anti-hyperglycemic, antithrombotic, and antifibrotic properties. It increases mitochondrial biogenesis, and it also has effects on the regulation of synthesis and metabolism of lipids. This flavanol is a nontoxic substance; it has been classified by the United States Food and Drug Administration as harmless. The EC-induced effects can be useful for the prevention and/or treatment of NAFLD.

Molecular Determinants of the Cardiometabolic Improvements of Dietary Flavanols Identified by an Integrative Analysis of Nutrigenomic Data from a Systematic Review of Animal Studies

SCOPE

Flavanols are important polyphenols of the human diet with extensive demonstrations of their beneficial effects on cardiometabolic health. They contribute to preserve health acting on a large range of cellular processes. The underlying mechanisms of action of flavanols are not fully understood but involve a nutrigenomic regulation.

METHODS AND RESULTS

To further capture how the intake of dietary flavanols results in the modulation of gene expression, nutrigenomics data in response to dietary flavanols obtained from animal models of cardiometabolic diseases have been collected and submitted to a bioinformatics analysis. This systematic analysis shows that dietary flavanols modulate a large range of genes mainly involved in endocrine function, fatty acid metabolism, and inflammation. Several regulators of the gene expression have been predicted and include transcription factors, miRNAs and epigenetic factors.

CONCLUSION

This review highlights the complex and multilevel action of dietary flavanols contributing to their strong potential to preserve cardiometabolic health. The identification of the potential molecular mediators and of the flavanol metabolites driving the nutrigenomic response in the target organs is still a pending question which the answer will contribute to optimize the beneficial health effects of dietary bioactives.

Cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) Seed Proteins' Anti-Obesity Potential through Lipase Inhibition Using In Silico, In Vitro and In Vivo Models

The aim of this study was to determine the pancreatic lipase (PL) inhibitory effect of cocoa protein (CP) hydrolysates (CPH) using in silico and in vitro approaches, and an in vivo high-fat diet (HF) obese rat model. The results showed better theoretical affinity on PL for cocoa peptides EEQR, GGER, QTGVQ, and VSTDVNIE released from vicilin and albumins (-6.5, -6.3, -6.2, and -6.1 kcal/mol, respectively). Absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADMET) prediction showed the human intestinal absorption (HIA) capacity of orlistat and eight cocoa peptides, demonstrating that they presented a low probability of toxicity with values lower than 0.6, while the orlistat has a high probability of hepatotoxicity with a mean value of 0.9. CPH (degree of hydrolysis of 55%) inhibited PL with an IC50 (concentration needed to inhibit 50% of enzyme activity) value of 1.38 mg/mL. The intragastric administration of 150 mg CP/kg/day to rats increased total lipids and triglycerides excretion in feces, ranging from 11% to 15% compared to the HF-diet. The HF + CP-diet also significantly decreased (p < 0.05) the apparent rate of fat absorption compared with the HF group. These results suggest that CP has anti-obesity potential by inhibiting PL, thus helping to prevent the development of non-communicable diseases.

Effects of (-)-epicatechin on the time course of the expression of perilipins in a diet-induced model of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis

The existing treatments for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) are not completely effective. The need for new alternatives without adverse effects and low cost, such as the flavonoid (-)-epicatechin (EC), which has beneficial effects on lipid metabolism and cardiovascular diseases, arises. The objective of this work was to analyze EC effects in the NASH induced by a Paigen-type diet (PD). Mice were administered with (1) normal chow and water, (2) PD + fructose 30% and (3) PD + fructose 30% + EC (1 mg/kg) per gavage during 9 weeks. At the end of each treatment, serum was collected for analysis of the biochemical profile and liver enzymes. The liver was collected for microscopic analysis and for the evaluation of the relative expression of Plin2, Plin3, CD36, adiponectin and UCP2. Results showed that EC reduced weight gain and decreased triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, TG/high-density lipoprotein and the activity of liver enzymes (alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase), suggesting lower liver damage. The microscopic analysis showed less "balloonization" of the hepatocyte, small drops of lipids, less accumulation of collagen and infiltration of inflammatory cells as compared to nontreated group. Finally, a decrease in the expression of Plin 2 was observed. While CD36 decreased, adiponectin and UCP2 increased. In conclusion, EC improves the biochemical profile, the microscopic characteristics and protein expression. Therefore, it may be a possible therapeutic approach for NASH since it prevents the progression of the hepatic and metabolic damage induced by high-fat diets.

Cocoa Flavanols: Natural Agents with Attenuating Effects on Metabolic Syndrome Risk Factors

The interest in cacao flavanols is still growing, as bioactive compounds with potential benefits in the prevention of chronic diseases associated with inflammation, oxidative stress and metabolic disorders. Several analytical methodologies support that the flavanols in cacao-derived products can be absorbed, have bioactive properties, and thus can be responsible for their beneficial effects on human health. However, it must be considered that their biological actions and underlying molecular mechanisms will depend on the concentrations achieved in their target tissues. Based on the antioxidant properties of cacao flavanols, this review focuses on recent advances in research regarding their potential to improve metabolic syndrome risk factors. Additionally, it has included other secondary plant metabolites that have been investigated for their protective effects against metabolic syndrome. Studies using laboratory animals or human subjects represent strong available evidence for biological effects of cacao flavanols. Nevertheless, in vitro studies are also included to provide an overview of these phytochemical mechanisms of action. Further studies are needed to determine if the main cacao flavanols or their metabolites are responsible for the observed health benefits and which are their precise molecular mechanisms.

The prothrombotic state associated with obesity-induced hypertension is reduced by cocoa and its main flavanols

Cocoa flavanols could ameliorate cardiovascular health in obese patients.