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Effects of a grapeseed procyanidin extract (GSPE) on insulin resistance

Gemma Montagut1, Cinta Bladé, Mayte Blay

  • 1Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Rovira i Virgili University, Tarragona, 43007 Spain.

The Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry
|December 8, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Grape seed procyanidin extract (GSPE) shows promise for improving glucose homeostasis and insulin resistance. A daily dose of 25 mg/kg GSPE positively impacts metabolic health, particularly in adipose tissue.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Metabolic Syndrome Research
  • Nutraceuticals

Background:

  • Flavonoids, like those in grape seed procyanidin extract (GSPE), are recognized for potential benefits against metabolic syndrome risk factors.
  • However, their precise mechanisms in modulating glucose homeostasis remain incompletely understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the efficacy of GSPE in stimulating glucose uptake in insulin-resistant cells.
  • To evaluate the effects of GSPE on glucose metabolism and insulin resistance in hyperinsulinemic animal models.

Main Methods:

  • Assessed GSPE's glucose uptake stimulation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes resistant to insulin or dexamethasone.
  • Administered varying doses of GSPE to hyperinsulinemic rats fed a cafeteria diet for 30 days.
  • Analyzed plasma insulin, Homeostasis Model Assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index, and gene expression (Pparg2, Glut4, Irs1) in adipose tissue.

Main Results:

  • GSPE demonstrated higher glucose uptake stimulation than insulin in insulin-resistant adipocytes, but was less effective when resistance was induced by dexamethasone.
  • GSPE treatment reduced plasma insulin levels and improved the HOMA-IR index in hyperinsulinemic rats.
  • A daily dose of 25 mg/kg GSPE down-regulated key adipocyte markers (Pparg2, Glut4, Irs1) in mesenteric white adipose tissue, while preserving acute glucose uptake responsiveness.

Conclusions:

  • A daily dose of 25 mg/kg GSPE exerts a positive long-term effect on glucose homeostasis, potentially by targeting adipose tissue for direct glucose uptake stimulation.
  • The study underscores the importance of considering bioactive dosage, as higher concentrations do not invariably yield greater benefits.

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