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Bracchi I, Morais J, Coelho JA, Ferreira AF, Alves I, Mendes C, Correia B, Gonçalves A, Guimarães JT, Pires IF, Keating E, Negrão R. The Cardiometabolic Impact of Rebaudioside A Exposure during the Reproductive Stage. BIOLOGY 2024; 13:163. [PMID: 38534433 PMCID: PMC10967885 DOI: 10.3390/biology13030163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2023] [Revised: 02/03/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
The consumption of non-sugar sweeteners (NSS) has increased during pregnancy. The European Food Safety Agency suggested that steviol glycosides, such as Rebaudioside A (RebA), the major sweetener component of stevia, are safe for humans up to a dose of 4 mg/kg body weight/day. However, the World Health Organization recommended in 2023 the restraint of using NSS, including stevia, at any life stage, highlighting the need to study NSS safety in early periods of development. We aimed to study the mitochondrial and cardiometabolic effects of long-term RebA consumption during the reproductive stage of the life cycle. Female rats were exposed to RebA (4 mg steviol equivalents/kg body weight/day) in the drinking water from 4 weeks before mating until weaning. Morphometry, food and water consumption, glucose and lipid homeostasis, heart structure, function, and mitochondrial function were assessed. RebA showed an atrophic effect in the heart, decreasing cardiomyocyte cross-sectional area and myocardial fibrosis without repercussions on cardiac function. Mitochondrial and myofilamentary functions were not altered. Glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity were not affected, but fasting glycemia and total plasma cholesterol decreased. This work suggests that this RebA dose is safe for female consumption during the reproductive stage, from a cardiometabolic perspective. However, studies on the effects of RebA exposure on the offspring are mandatory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabella Bracchi
- Unit of Biochemistry, Department Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal; (I.B.); (E.K.)
- CINTESIS, Center for Health Technology and Services Research, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal;
- Department of Functional Sciences, School of Health, Polytechnic Institute of Porto, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal
| | - Juliana Morais
- CINTESIS, Center for Health Technology and Services Research, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal;
- Department of Functional Sciences, School of Health, Polytechnic Institute of Porto, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal
- Department of Surgery and Physiology, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade do Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal; (J.A.C.); (C.M.)
| | - João Almeida Coelho
- Department of Surgery and Physiology, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade do Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal; (J.A.C.); (C.M.)
- UniC@RISE, Unidade de Investigação e Desenvolvimento Cardiovascular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade do Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
| | - Ana Filipa Ferreira
- Department of Surgery and Physiology, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade do Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal; (J.A.C.); (C.M.)
- UniC@RISE, Unidade de Investigação e Desenvolvimento Cardiovascular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade do Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
| | - Inês Alves
- Department of Surgery and Physiology, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade do Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal; (J.A.C.); (C.M.)
- UniC@RISE, Unidade de Investigação e Desenvolvimento Cardiovascular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade do Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
| | - Cláudia Mendes
- Department of Surgery and Physiology, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade do Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal; (J.A.C.); (C.M.)
- UniC@RISE, Unidade de Investigação e Desenvolvimento Cardiovascular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade do Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
| | - Beatriz Correia
- Department of Surgery and Physiology, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade do Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal; (J.A.C.); (C.M.)
- Nutrition & Metabolism, NOVA Medical School|FCM, NOVA University Lisbon, 1169-056 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Alexandre Gonçalves
- Department of Surgery and Physiology, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade do Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal; (J.A.C.); (C.M.)
- UniC@RISE, Unidade de Investigação e Desenvolvimento Cardiovascular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade do Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
| | - João Tiago Guimarães
- Unit of Biochemistry, Department Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal; (I.B.); (E.K.)
- Clinical Pathology, São João University Hospital Center, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
- EPIUnit, Institute of Public Health, University of Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
| | - Inês Falcão Pires
- Department of Surgery and Physiology, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade do Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal; (J.A.C.); (C.M.)
- UniC@RISE, Unidade de Investigação e Desenvolvimento Cardiovascular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade do Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
| | - Elisa Keating
- Unit of Biochemistry, Department Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal; (I.B.); (E.K.)
- CINTESIS@RISE, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
| | - Rita Negrão
- Unit of Biochemistry, Department Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal; (I.B.); (E.K.)
- CINTESIS@RISE, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
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Qin L, Mei Y, An C, Ning R, Zhang H. Docosahexaenoic acid administration improves diabetes-induced cardiac fibrosis through enhancing fatty acid oxidation in cardiac fibroblast. J Nutr Biochem 2023; 113:109244. [PMID: 36470335 DOI: 10.1016/j.jnutbio.2022.109244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2022] [Revised: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Diabetes mellitus can lead to various complications, including organ fibrosis. Metabolic remodeling often occurs during the development of organ fibrosis. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), an essential ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid, shows great benefits in improving cardiovascular disease and organ fibrosis, including regulating cellular metabolism. In this study, we investigated whether DHA can inhibit diabetes-induced cardiac fibrosis by regulating the metabolism of cardiac fibroblasts. Type I diabetic mice were induced by streptozotocin and after supplementation with DHA for 16 weeks, clinical indicators of serum and heart were evaluated. DHA administration significantly improved serum lipid levels, cardiac function and cardiac interstitial fibrosis, but not blood glucose levels. Subsequently, immunofluorescences, western blot and label-free quantitative proteomics methods were used to study the mechanism. The results showed that the anti-fibrotic function of DHA was achieved through regulating extracellular matrix homeostasis including ECM synthesis and degradation. Our research demonstrated DHA regulated the energy metabolism of cardiac fibroblasts, especially fatty acid oxidation, and then affected the balance of ECM synthesis and degradation. It suggested that DHA supplementation could be considered an effective adjuvant therapy for cardiac fibrosis caused by hyperglycemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linhui Qin
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Yingwu Mei
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Chengcheng An
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Rui Ning
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Haifeng Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.
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Li Y, Zhu W, Cai J, Liu W, Akihisa T, Li W, Kikuchi T, Xu J, Feng F, Zhang J. The role of metabolites of steviol glycosides and their glucosylated derivatives against diabetes-related metabolic disorders. Food Funct 2021; 12:8248-8259. [PMID: 34319319 DOI: 10.1039/d1fo01370j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Diabetes mellitus (DM), characterized by abnormal carbohydrate, lipid, and protein metabolism, is a metabolic disorder caused by a shortage of insulin secretion or decreased sensitivity of target cells to insulin. In addition to changes in lifestyle, a low-calorie diet is recommended to reduce the development of DM. Steviol glycosides (SGs), as natural sweeteners, have gained attention as sucrose alternatives because of their advantages of high sweetness and being low calorie. Most SGs with multiple bioactivities are beneficial to regulate physiological functions. Though SGs have been widely applied in food industry, there is little data on their glucosylated derivatives that are glucosylated steviol glycosides (GSGs). In this review, we have discussed the metabolic fate of GSGs in contrast to SGs, and the molecular mechanisms of glycoside metabolites against diabetes-related metabolic disorders are also summarized. SGs are generally extracted from the Stevia leaf, while GSGs are mainly manufactured using enzymes that transfer glucose units from a starch source to SGs. Results from this study suggest that SGs and GSGs share same bioactive metabolites, steviol and steviol glucuronide (SVG), which exhibit anti-hyperglycemic effects by activating glucose-induced insulin secretion to enhance pancreatic β-cell function. In addition, steviol and SVG have been found to ameliorate the inflammatory response, lipid imbalance, myocardial fibrosis and renal functions to modulate diabetes-related metabolic disorders. Therefore, both SGs and GSGs may be used as potential sucrose alternatives and/or pharmacological alternatives for preventing and treating metabolic disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuqi Li
- School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tongjiaxiang, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Wanfang Zhu
- School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tongjiaxiang, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Jing Cai
- School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tongjiaxiang, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Wenyuan Liu
- School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Toshihiro Akihisa
- School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tongjiaxiang, Nanjing 210009, China and Research Institute for Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science, 2641 Yamazaki, Noda, Chiba 278-8510, Japan
| | - Wei Li
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Toho University, Miyama 2-2-1, Funabashi, Chiba 274-8510, Japan
| | - Takashi Kikuchi
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Toho University, Miyama 2-2-1, Funabashi, Chiba 274-8510, Japan
| | - Jian Xu
- School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tongjiaxiang, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Feng Feng
- School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tongjiaxiang, Nanjing 210009, China and Jiangsu Food and Pharmaceutical Science College, Huaian, Jiangsu 223003, China
| | - Jie Zhang
- School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tongjiaxiang, Nanjing 210009, China and Jiangsu Food and Pharmaceutical Science College, Huaian, Jiangsu 223003, China
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Wei F, Zhu H, Li N, Yu C, Song Z, Wang S, Sun Y, Zheng L, Wang G, Huang Y, Bao Y, Sun L. Stevioside Activates AMPK to Suppress Inflammation in Macrophages and Protects Mice from LPS-Induced Lethal Shock. Molecules 2021; 26:858. [PMID: 33562046 PMCID: PMC7915908 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26040858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2021] [Revised: 02/03/2021] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Stevioside, a diterpenoid glycoside, is widely used as a natural sweetener; meanwhile, it has been proven to possess various pharmacological properties as well. However, until now there were no comprehensive evaluations focused on the anti-inflammatory activity of stevioside. Thus, the anti-inflammatory activities of stevioside, both in macrophages (RAW 264.7 cells, THP-1 cells, and mouse peritoneal macrophages) and in mice, were extensively investigated for the potential application of stevioside as a novel anti-inflammatory agent. The results showed that stevioside was capable of down-regulating lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced expression and production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and mediators in macrophages from different sources, such as IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1β, iNOS/NO, COX2, and HMGB1, whereas it up-regulated the anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-10 and TGF-β1. Further investigation showed that stevioside could activate the AMPK -mediated inhibition of IRF5 and NF-κB pathways. Similarly, in mice with LPS-induced lethal shock, stevioside inhibited release of pro-inflammatory factors, enhanced production of IL-10, and increased the survival rate of mice. More importantly, stevioside was also shown to activate AMPK in the periphery blood mononuclear cells of mice. Together, these results indicated that stevioside could significantly attenuate LPS-induced inflammatory responses both in vitro and in vivo through regulating several signaling pathways. These findings further strengthened the evidence that stevioside may be developed into a therapeutic agent against inflammatory diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fuyao Wei
- National Engineering Laboratory for Druggable Gene and Protein Screening, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China; (F.W.); (H.Z.); (N.L.); (C.Y.); (Z.S.); (S.W.); (Y.S.); (Y.H.); (Y.B.)
| | - Hong Zhu
- National Engineering Laboratory for Druggable Gene and Protein Screening, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China; (F.W.); (H.Z.); (N.L.); (C.Y.); (Z.S.); (S.W.); (Y.S.); (Y.H.); (Y.B.)
| | - Na Li
- National Engineering Laboratory for Druggable Gene and Protein Screening, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China; (F.W.); (H.Z.); (N.L.); (C.Y.); (Z.S.); (S.W.); (Y.S.); (Y.H.); (Y.B.)
| | - Chunlei Yu
- National Engineering Laboratory for Druggable Gene and Protein Screening, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China; (F.W.); (H.Z.); (N.L.); (C.Y.); (Z.S.); (S.W.); (Y.S.); (Y.H.); (Y.B.)
| | - Zhenbo Song
- National Engineering Laboratory for Druggable Gene and Protein Screening, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China; (F.W.); (H.Z.); (N.L.); (C.Y.); (Z.S.); (S.W.); (Y.S.); (Y.H.); (Y.B.)
| | - Shuyue Wang
- National Engineering Laboratory for Druggable Gene and Protein Screening, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China; (F.W.); (H.Z.); (N.L.); (C.Y.); (Z.S.); (S.W.); (Y.S.); (Y.H.); (Y.B.)
| | - Ying Sun
- National Engineering Laboratory for Druggable Gene and Protein Screening, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China; (F.W.); (H.Z.); (N.L.); (C.Y.); (Z.S.); (S.W.); (Y.S.); (Y.H.); (Y.B.)
| | - Lihua Zheng
- Institute of Genetics and Cytology, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China; (L.Z.); (G.W.)
| | - Guannan Wang
- Institute of Genetics and Cytology, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China; (L.Z.); (G.W.)
| | - Yanxin Huang
- National Engineering Laboratory for Druggable Gene and Protein Screening, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China; (F.W.); (H.Z.); (N.L.); (C.Y.); (Z.S.); (S.W.); (Y.S.); (Y.H.); (Y.B.)
| | - Yongli Bao
- National Engineering Laboratory for Druggable Gene and Protein Screening, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China; (F.W.); (H.Z.); (N.L.); (C.Y.); (Z.S.); (S.W.); (Y.S.); (Y.H.); (Y.B.)
| | - Luguo Sun
- National Engineering Laboratory for Druggable Gene and Protein Screening, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China; (F.W.); (H.Z.); (N.L.); (C.Y.); (Z.S.); (S.W.); (Y.S.); (Y.H.); (Y.B.)
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Qin L, Zang M, Xu Y, Zhao R, Wang Y, Mi Y, Mei Y. Chlorogenic Acid Alleviates Hyperglycemia-Induced Cardiac Fibrosis through Activation of the NO/cGMP/PKG Pathway in Cardiac Fibroblasts. Mol Nutr Food Res 2021; 65:e2000810. [PMID: 33200558 DOI: 10.1002/mnfr.202000810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2020] [Revised: 10/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
SCOPE Hyperglycemia-induced cardiac fibrosis is one of the main causes of diabetic cardiomyopathy (DM). Chlorogenic acid (CGA) found in many foods has excellent hypoglycemic effectiveness, but it is not known whether CGA can improve DM by inhibiting cardiac fibrosis caused by hyperglycemia. METHODS AND RESULTS Type I diabetic mice are induced by streptozotocin, and after treatment with CGA for 12 weeks, cardiac functions and fibrosis are determined. CGA significantly attenuates hyperglycemia-induced cardiac fibrosis and improves cardiac functions. The mechanism of CGA on fibrotic inhibition is further studied by immunofluorescence, western blot and RNA interference technology in vivo and in vitro. The results show CGA exerted its anti-fibrotic effects through activating the cyclic GMP/protein kinase G pathway (cGMP/PKG) to block hyperglycemia-induced nuclear translocation of p-Smad2/3, and then inhibiting pro-fibrotic gene expression in cardiac fibroblasts without depending on its hypoglycemic function. Moreover, the data also revealed that CGA increased cGMP level and activated PKG in cardiac fibroblasts by enhancing endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) activity and NO production. CONCLUSION Besides lowering blood glucose, CGA also has an independent ability to inhibit cardiac fibrosis. Therefore, long-term consumption of foods rich in CGA for diabetic patients will have great benefits to improve diabetic cardiomyopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linhui Qin
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, No.100 Science Avenue, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450001, China
| | - Mingxi Zang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, No.100 Science Avenue, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450001, China
| | - Yan Xu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, No.100 Science Avenue, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450001, China
| | - Rongrong Zhao
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, No.100 Science Avenue, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450001, China
| | - Yating Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, No.100 Science Avenue, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450001, China
| | - Yang Mi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, No.100 Science Avenue, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450001, China
| | - Yingwu Mei
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, No.100 Science Avenue, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450001, China
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Wang J, Zhao H, Wang Y, Lau H, Zhou W, Chen C, Tan S. A review of stevia as a potential healthcare product: Up-to-date functional characteristics, administrative standards and engineering techniques. Trends Food Sci Technol 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tifs.2020.07.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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