Lyophilized Maqui (Aristotelia chilensis) Berry Induces Browning in the Subcutaneous White Adipose Tissue and Ameliorates the Insulin Resistance in High Fat Diet-Induced Obese Mice

Abstract

Maqui (Aristotelia Chilensis) berry features a unique profile of anthocyanidins that includes high amounts of delphinidin-3-O-sambubioside-5-O-glucoside and delphinidin-3-O-sambubioside and has shown positive effects on fasting glucose and insulin levels in humans and murine models of type 2 diabetes and obesity. The molecular mechanisms underlying the impact of maqui on the onset and development of the obese phenotype and insulin resistance was investigated in high fat diet-induced obese mice supplemented with a lyophilized maqui berry. Maqui-dietary supplemented animals showed better insulin response and decreased weight gain but also a differential expression of genes involved in de novo lipogenesis, fatty acid oxidation, multilocular lipid droplet formation and thermogenesis in subcutaneous white adipose tissue (scWAT). These changes correlated with an increased expression of the carbohydrate response element binding protein b (Chrebpb), the sterol regulatory binding protein 1c (Srebp1c) and Cellular repressor of adenovirus early region 1A–stimulated genes 1 (Creg1) and an improvement in the fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) signaling. Our evidence suggests that maqui dietary supplementation activates the induction of fuel storage and thermogenesis characteristic of a brown-like phenotype in scWAT and counteracts the unhealthy metabolic impact of an HFD. This induction constitutes a putative strategy to prevent/treat diet-induced obesity and its associated comorbidities.

Metabolic Impact of Flavonoids Consumption in Obesity: From Central to Peripheral

“…Part of the anthocyanins metabolic effects occur by regulating adipogenesis, increasing FAO, lipolysis, thermogenesis and mitochondrial biogenesis, regulating satiety and reducing lipogenesis in different tissues and organs and enhancing energy expenditure and body weight progression [ 74 , 75 , 76 , 80 , 81 , 82 , 83 ] Dietary supplementation with anthocyanins improves the lipid profile by favorably controlling the circulating levels of TG, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol [ 84 ].…”

The Influence of Supplementation of Anthocyanins on Obesity-Associated Comorbidities: A Concise Review

“…The improvement in fibroblast growth factor 21 signaling was also involved in the beneficial effects of Maqui berry supplementation. The results found that the intervention of Maqui berry could improve high-fat-diet-induced obesity and associated illnesses [ 73 ] ( Table 2 ).…”

Ameliorating Effects of Delphinol®, Anthocyanin Standardized Maqui Berry Extract, on Skin Brightness and Redness in Japanese Females: A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Pilot Study

“…Regarding the beneficial health effects of maqui berry, anti-inflammatory [10] [11] [12] [13], anti-diabetic [14], antidepressant [15], anti-obese [16], and memory improving [17] effects have been reported. Moreover, we previously confirmed that maqui berry extract (MBE) possesses excellent ameliorating effects against dry eyes in animal models [18] and clinical trials [19] [20] with Japanese subjects.…”