Published online Feb 28, 2019. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v25.i8.955
Peer-review started: December 17, 2018
First decision: January 18, 2019
Revised: January 25, 2019
Accepted: January 28, 2019
Article in press: January 29, 2019
Published online: February 28, 2019
Processing time: 72 Days and 21.3 Hours
The mechanism of procyanidin to improve metabolic syndrome mainly focuses on its antioxidant effect. The latest studies show that procyanidin have commendable antibacterial properties. The evaluation of remodeling gut microbiota in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) by procyanidin may provide a new therapeutic trend.
Procyanidin has been reported to improve dyslipidemia, hyperglycemia, and oxidative stress through its anti-oxidative properties. However, procyanidin is a natural plant compound, and its bioavailability in humans is low. The low levels of procyanidin B2 (PB2) in the body make their superior effects difficult to explain. The mechanism underlying the beneficial effects of procyanidin remains largely unknown.
To validate the effect of procyanidin on NAFLD and to clarify the possible mechanism of action.
New Zealand white rabbits were fed chow or high-fat-cholesterol diet (HCD) for 12 wk. The body weight was investigated every week. The serum samples were analyzed after a 12-wk time. Hematoxylin and eosin staining of liver samples were performed, and fatty acid synthesis genes of liver were evaluated. The gut microbiota was sequenced by 16S rRNA analysis.
Our results show that procyanidin is associated with alleviated hepatic steatosis, decrease serum lipid, suppressed gut inflammation, and remolded gut microbiota.
Procyanidin treatment protects against HCD-induced obesity, insulin resistance, and liver steatosis in rabbits. These effects were associated with the alleviation of intestinal inflammation and endotoxemia.
Plant compounds, such as procyanidin, should be further explored for their potential therapeutic activity in NAFLD.