Recovery of Cardiac Remodeling and Dysmetabolism by Pancreatic Islet Injury Improvement in Diabetic Rats after Yacon Leaf Extract Treatment

Abstract

Yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius) is a native Andean plant rich in phenolic compounds, and its effects on dysmetabolism and cardiomyopathy in diabetic rats was evaluated. The rats (10/group) were allocated as follows: C, controls; C + Y, controls treated with Yacon leaf extract (YLE); DM, diabetic controls; and DM + Y, diabetic rats treated with YLE. Type 1 diabetes (T1DM) was induced by the administration of streptozotocin (STZ; 40 mg−1/kg body weight, single dose, i.p.), and treated groups received 100 mg/kg body weight YLE daily via gavage for 30 d. The YLE group shows an improvement in dysmetabolism and cardiomyopathy in the diabetic condition (DM versus DM + Y) promoting a significant reduction of glycemia by 63.39%, an increase in insulin concentration by 49.30%, and a decrease in serum triacylglycerol and fatty acid contents by 0.39- and 0.43-fold, respectively, by ameliorating the pancreatic islet injury, as well as increasing the activity of the antioxidant enzymes (catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase) and decreasing the fibrosis and cellular disorganization in cardiac tissue. The apparent benefits of YLE seem to be mediated by ameliorating dysmetabolism and oxidative stress in pancreatic and cardiac tissues.

Long‐term intake of phenolic compounds attenuates age‐related cardiac remodeling

“…Aging increases TGF‐ß expression, which plays an important role in the synthesis and secretion of collagen by cardiac fibroblasts, thus contributing to cardiac stiffening (Nakou et al, ). Kaempferol and PC of a yacon plant were shown to alleviate, respectively, myocardial fibrosis in angiotensin II‐induced cardiac dysfunction and in diabetic rat model (Dos Santos et al, ; Liu et al, ). Nevertheless, these experiments were undergone in pathological conditions not related to normal aging.…”

A Sustainable Wholesome Foodstuff; Health Effects and Potential Dietotherapy Applications of Yacon

“…Yacon leaves have been traditionally used in the Andes to treat people suffering from diabetes and digestive diseases. In experimental trials, dos Santos et al [12,65] reported a significant reduction of glycemia, an increase in insulin concentration, and a decrease in serum triacylglycerol concentration in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats after the oral administration of yacon leaf extract for 30 days. Valentova et al [66] and other studies [67,68,69,70] reported the anti-hyperglycemic effects of yacon leaf extract in animal models.…”

Phloretin protects against cardiac damage and remodeling via restoring SIRT1 and anti-inflammatory effects in the streptozotocin-induced diabetic mouse model

“…Myocardial fibrosis is a major mechanism contributing to cardiomyocyte changes in diabetic cardiomyopathy [21,22]. Hyperglycemia induces formation of structural proteins and type 1 collagens, and promotes interstitial fibrosis and myocardial stiffness to produce subsequent heart failure [20].…”