Dietary Supplementation of Chardonnay Grape Seed Flour Reduces Plasma Cholesterol Concentration, Hepatic Steatosis, and Abdominal Fat Content in High-Fat Diet-Induced Obese Hamsters

Abstract

The mechanisms for the hypocholesterolemic and antiobesity effects of grape seed flours derived from white and red winemaking processing were investigated using male Golden Syrian hamsters fed high-fat (HF) diets supplemented with 10% partially defatted grape seed flours from Chardonnay (ChrSd), Cabernet Sauvignon (CabSd), or Syrah (SyrSd) pomace as compared to a HF control diet for 3 weeks. Hamsters fed the ChrSd diet had significantly lowered plasma total-, VLDL-, and LDL-cholesterol concentrations compared to the CabSd, SyrSd, and control diets. The improved plasma cholesterol after ChrSd was correlated with the up-regulation of hepatic genes related to cholesterol (CYP51) and bile acid (CYP7A1) synthesis as well as LDL-cholesterol uptake (LDLR). A reduction of hepatic lipid content was associated with altered expression of the genes related to lipid metabolism. However, fecal total lipid content was not changed. Expression of ileal apical sodium bile acid transporter (ASBT) was not affected by ChrSd, indicating unchanged ileal bile acid reabsorption. The antiobesity effect of the ChrSd diet appears to be related to expression of adipogenesis- and inflammation-related genes in adipose tissue. These findings suggest that flavonoid-rich Chardonnay grape seed flour induced cholesterol-lowering, antiobesity, and anti-inflammatory health benefits and attenuation of hepatic steatosis via regulation of gene expression related to cholesterol, bile acid, and lipid metabolism in liver and adipose tissue.

Chardonnay Grape Seed Flour Ameliorates Hepatic Steatosis and Insulin Resistance via Altered Hepatic Gene Expression for Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, and Lipid and Ceramide Synthesis in Diet-Induced Obese Mice

“…We previously showed that hypocholesterolemic and hypolipidemic effects of ChrSd supplementation of Golden Syrian hamsters on a HF and hypercholesterolemic diet are associated with altered hepatic expression of genes related to bile acid, cholesterol, and lipid metabolism [9]. In the current study, exon microarray analysis identified differentially expressed hepatic genes in DIO mice, providing novel biological insights into the effects of ChrSd supplementation on HF diet-induced hepatic steatosis.…”

“…Catechin inhibited lipid accumulation in HepG2 cells and mouse liver [5,6]. Supplementation with catechin-rich grape seed extract and catechin-rich Chardonnay grape seed flour (ChrSd) upregulated expression of genes related to fatty acid oxidation and downregulated genes related to fatty acid synthesis in liver [7–9], resulting in reduced hepatic steatosis. An extract from the pomace of the red American grape Norton induced anti-inflammatory effects in mice fed a high-fat (HF) diet and exhibited in vitro antioxidant activity [10].…”

“…We previously reported [9] that supplementation with partially defatted whole grape seed flour ameliorated hepatic steatosis, hypercholesterolemia, and obesity in hamsters. Hamsters fed a HF and hypercholesterolemic diet supplemented with seed flour produced from a byproduct of Chardonnay white wine had significantly lowered hepatic lipid contents, plasma concentrations of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), and total cholesterol.…”

Mechanistic insight into nuclear receptor‐mediated regulation of bile acid metabolism and lipid homeostasis by grape seed procyanidin extract (GSPE)

“…Additionally, GSPE has shown an ability to reduce hepatic lipid accumulation in the presence of a high‐fat cafeteria diet . The hepatoprotective effects of grape seed extracts against increased lipogenesis and hepatic lipid accumulation on a high‐fat diet have also been demonstrated in several other in vivo studies . Finally, grape seed extracts have demonstrated hepatoprotective effects in humans with steatosis, as GSE (2000 mg/day for 3 months) improved the grade of steatosis in these patients and reduced serum levels of the liver enzyme alanine aminotransferase (ALT), an indicator of liver damage…”

Natural Phenol Polymers: Recent Advances in Food and Health Applications

“…In similar animal models, supplementation with grape pomace or aqueous extracts counteracted adiposity, inflammation, liver damage and impaired insulin signaling associated with metabolic syndrome [94]. Hypocholesterolemic and anti-obesity effects of grape seed flours from white and red winemaking processing were described on high-fat fed hamsters [95]. …”