Author
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Prior, Ronald |
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Submitted to: CAB Reviews: Perspectives in Agriculture, Veterinary Science, Nutrition and Natural Resources
Publication Type: Review Article Publication Acceptance Date: 3/18/2010 Publication Date: 11/15/2010 Citation: Prior, R.L. 2010. Anthocyanins and weight loss. CAB Reviews: Perspectives in Agriculture, Veterinary Science, Nutrition and Natural Resources. 5(29):1-9. Interpretive Summary: This review evaluated the available scientific literature relative to anthocyanins and weight loss and/or obesity with mention of other effects of anthocyanins on pathologies that are closely related to obesity. Although there is considerable popular press concerning anthocyanins and weight loss, there are no controlled clinical trials directly supporting beneficial effects of anthocyanins in a weight loss program. Purified anthocyanins from varying sources have been shown to decrease lipid deposition in rodent models of obesity, however, in the few studies where the anthocyanins were consumed as a part of the whole food or berry, anti-obesity effects have not generally been observed. However, in the case of whole blueberry, effects were observed that protected against some of the pathologies associated with obesity including inflammation. Studies reviewed have provided an overview of the gene expression profiles in human and rodent adipocytes treated with anthocyanins. Anthocyanins have been shown to regulate adipocytokine gene expression, to ameliorate adipocyte dysfunction related to obesity and diabetes and merit further investigation. Additional research is needed to understand mechanisms whereby anthocyanins might influence obesity. Alterations in lipogenesis and lipolysis in adipose tissue as well as in numerous adipokine and cytokine signaling pathways have been suggested to explain the effects of anthocyanins development of obesity. Technical Abstract: This review evaluated the available scientific literature relative to anthocyanins and weight loss and/or obesity with mention of other effects of anthocyanins on pathologies that are closely related to obesity. Although there is considerable popular press concerning anthocyanins and weight loss, there are no controlled clinical trials directly supporting beneficial effects of anthocyanins in a weight loss program. Purified anthocyanins from varying sources have been shown to decrease lipid deposition in rodent models of obesity, however, in the few studies where the anthocyanins were consumed as a part of the whole food or berry, anti-obesity effects have not generally been observed. However, in the case of whole blueberry, effects were observed that protected against some of the pathologies associated with obesity including inflammation. Studies reviewed have provided an overview of the gene expression profiles in human and rodent adipocytes treated with anthocyanins. Anthocyanins have been shown to regulate adipocytokine gene expression, to ameliorate adipocyte dysfunction related to obesity and diabetes and merit further investigation. Additional research is needed to understand mechanisms whereby anthocyanins might influence obesity. Alterations in lipogenesis and lipolysis in adipose tissue as well as in numerous adipokine and cytokine signaling pathways have been suggested to explain the effects of anthocyanins development of obesity. |
