ARS | Publication request: Beneficial Effects Of Cinnamon On Oxidtive Stress, Muscle Mass, and Glycemia In Rats With Metabolic Syndrome

Submitted to: American College of Nutrition
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: September 15, 2007
Publication Date: October 1, 2007
Citation: Roussel, A., Benarba, R., Hininger-Favier, I., Osman, M., Anderson, R.A. 2007. Beneficial effects of cinnamon on oxidative stress, muscle mass, and glycemia in rats with metabolic syndrome. American College of Nutrition.

Technical Abstract: Metabolic syndrome is characterized by insulin resistance and increased oxidative stress. Polyphenols from cinnamon have been reported to act as insulin potentiating factors and antioxidants, and therefore might act in preventing the metabolic syndrome. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of cinnamon on fasting glycemia and oxidative stress using an animal model of the metabolic syndrome. Three groups of 10 Wistar rats were fed a high fructose diet for six weeks to induce the metabolic syndrome or the same high fructose diet plus either 2 or 20 g of cinnamon/kg diet. In rats receiving cinnamon at 20 g/kg of diet, but not in rats fed 2 g cinnamon/kg of diet, there were significant decreases in fasting glycemia (9.9 ± 1.54 vs 12.6 ± 1.60 mM/L), plasma lipid peroxidation (4.45 ± 0.29 vs 4.80 ± 0.21µM/L), and DNA oxidative damage (3.37 ± 0.15 vs 5.04 ± 1.68 %tail). Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (373 ± 76 vs 250 ± 57) was increased. Muscle mass was also significantly higher. These data demonstrate that cinnamon functions assist in preventing the metabolic syndrome through glucose regulation and through its antioxidant functions, and suggest that it may be of benefit for people with metabolic syndrome and diabetes.