Long-lasting effects of proanthocyanidins in rat prevent cafeteria diet effects by limiting adipose tissue accrual

A dose of proanthocyanidins with satiating properties proved to be able to limit body weight increase several weeks after administration under exposure to a cafeteria diet. Here we describe the molecular targets and the duration of the effects. We treated rats with 500 mg GSPE/kg BW for ten days. Seven or seventeen weeks after the last GSPE dose, while animals were on cafeteria diet, we used RT-PCR to measure the mRNA of the key energy metabolism enzymes from liver, adipose depots and muscle. We found that a reduction in the expression of adipose Lpl might explain the lower amount of adipose tissue in rats seven weeks after the last GSPE dose. Liver showed increased expression of Cpt1a and Hmgs2 together with a reduction in Fasn and Dgat2. In addition, fatty oxidation (Oxct1 and Cpt1b mRNA) was increased in muscle. However, after seventeen weeks, there was a completely different gene expression pattern. As conclusion, seven weeks after the last GSPE administration there was a limitation in adipose accrual that might be mediated by an inhibition of the gene expression of the adipose tissue Lpl. Concomitantly there was an increase in fatty acid oxidation in liver and muscle.