Obesity-associated Pathways of Anthocyanins

Abstract Anthocyanins have a great potential for human health, as a sub-group of phenolic compounds. Interactions of anthocyanin involved in digestion and thus in obesity consist of inhibition of pancreatic lipase, regulation of lipolysis and lipogenesis, activation of an activated protein kinase enzyme, controlling of digestion hormones (leptin, insulin, ghrelin, cholecystokinin, GIP, GLP-1). Anthocyanins are the compounds that can control metabolic syndrome and obesity by ameliorating lipid metabolism, increasing energy expenditure, suppressing food intake and inhibiting lipid absorption. In addition, the interactions with other compounds during the processing and/or in the intestinal canal can change their absorption capability and bioavailability. Activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase and cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes, inflammatory cytokines signaling, free-radical scavenging activity are among the primary functions of anthocyanins playing role in the basic metabolic pathways. Anthocyanins also interact with gut microbiota that plays a role in many metabolic pathways. In the review, the effects of anthocyanins on the obesity-associated mechanisms in the metabolism are considered and summarized under the light of recent researches.

摘要：作为酚类化合物（phenolic compounds）的一个亚类，花青素（Anthocyanins）对人体健康具有极大潜力。花青素参与消化过程进而与肥胖相关的作用机制包括：抑制胰脂肪酶（pancreatic lipase）活性、调控脂肪分解（lipolysis）与脂肪合成（lipogenesis）、激活蛋白激酶（activated protein kinase），以及调节消化相关激素（瘦素（leptin）、胰岛素（insulin）、饥饿素（ghrelin）、胆囊收缩素（cholecystokinin）、GIP、GLP-1）。花青素可通过改善脂质代谢（lipid metabolism）、提升能量消耗（energy expenditure）、抑制食物摄入以及阻碍脂质吸收，从而改善代谢综合征与肥胖状况。此外，在加工过程及/或肠道内与其他化合物发生的相互作用，可改变花青素的吸收能力与生物利用度（bioavailability）。激活丝裂原活化蛋白激酶（mitogen-activated protein kinase）与环氧合酶（cyclooxygenase, COX）、调控炎症细胞因子（inflammatory cytokines）信号通路、清除自由基活性，均是花青素参与基础代谢通路的核心功能之一。花青素还可与参与众多代谢通路的肠道菌群（gut microbiota）发生相互作用。本综述基于最新研究进展，对花青素在代谢过程中与肥胖相关的作用机制所产生的影响进行了梳理与总结。