Flavonoids and metabolic syndrome

Abstract

Increasing evidence indicates that several mechanisms, associated or not with antioxidant actions, are involved in the effects of flavonoids on health. Flavonoid-rich beverages, foods, and extracts, as well as pure flavonoids are studied for the prevention and/or amelioration of metabolic syndrome (MS) and MS-associated diseases. We summarize evidence linking flavonoid consumption with the risk factors defining MS: obesity, hypertriglyceridemia, hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, and insulin resistance. Nevertheless, a number of molecular mechanisms have been identified; the effects of flavonoids modifying major endpoints of MS are still inconclusive. These difficulties are explained by the complex relationships among the risk factors defining MS, the multiple biological targets controlling these risk factors, and the high number of flavonoids (including their metabolites) present in the diet and potentially responsible for the in vivo effects. Consequently, extensive basic and clinical research is warranted to assess the final relevance of flavonoids for MS.

Normal or High Polyphenol Concentration in Orange Juice Affects Antioxidant Activity, Blood Pressure, and Body Weight in Obese or Overweight Adults

“…In fact, BMI, WC, and plasma leptin were correlated with energy intake but not with urinary flavanones. To the best of our knowledge, there is no evidence that associates weight loss with flavanones (45). However, the subjects in our study showed a significant decrease in DBP and SBP after both of the 12-wk interventions, as previously reported (30).…”

Flavonoid Apigenin Inhibits Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Inflammatory Response through Multiple Mechanisms in Macrophages

“…Epidemiological studies have shown that high intake of diets rich in flavonoids can prevent many chronic diseases including cardiovascular disease, metabolic disease, allergy, and cancer [9], [47]–[50]. A variety of mechanisms have been proposed by which flavonoids prevent and attenuate inflammatory responses and serve as possible cardioprotective, neuroprotective and chemopreventive agents [8], [9], [11], [47], [48], [51]–[53]. Apigenin has been reported as an important dietary flavonoid with strong chemopreventive and anti-inflammatory activities [13]–[19].…”

Antiartherosclerotic Effects of Plant Flavonoids

“…Flavonoids may inhibit the vascular diseases' development through alteration in endothelial cell eicosanoid production [30]. Flavonoids also showed blood pressure lowering effect in hypertensive and normotensive subjects while flavonoids may have beneficial actions in obesity due to their capacity to regulate fatty oxidation and improve adipocyte functionality [31]. Besides, food derived flavonols (quercetin, kaempferol, and myricetin) have been reported to exhibit various biological functions and medicinal properties such as antioxidant, antithrombotic, anti-inflammatory, anti atherogenic, antiatherosclerotic, and cardioprotective effects [32–35].…”