Study on antiinflammatory effects of epicatechin

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 16H07067
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Research Activity Start-up
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Research Field: Periodontology
• Research Institution: Kyushu University
• Principal Investigator: SANO TOMOMI 九州大学, 歯学研究院, 助教 (50782075)
• Project Period (FY): 2016-08-26 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: 炎症 / エピカテキン / 脂肪組織 / 歯周組織 / 肥満 / インスリン抵抗性

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Epicatechin (EC) suppressed the expression of many inflammatory genes in the adipocytes co-cultured with endotoxin-stimulated macrophages. Specifically, EC markedly suppressed chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 19 (CCL19) expression. The in vivo study indicated that mice fed the EC-supplemented HFD were protected from diet-induced obesity and insulin resistance. The expression levels of genes associated with inflammation in adipose tissue and in the liver were downregulated in this group of mice.
EC exerts beneficial effects for the prevention of adipose tissue inflammation and insulin resistance. Since the mice deficient in the CCL19 receptor were protected from diet-induced obesity and insulin resistance, the beneficial effects of EC could be mediated, at least in part, by marked suppression of CCL19 expression. Thus, EC may also exert beneficial effects against periodontal inflammation-associated augmentation of cardiovascular risk.

Free Research Field

医歯薬学