Therapeutic potential of polyphenols in addressing the pathophysiology of metabolic syndrome: a scrutiny of select mechanisms of action.
Metabolic syndrome (MetS) constitutes a spectrum of interconnected conditions, comprising abdominal obesity, hypertension, hyperglycemia, and dyslipidemia. While a singular, all-encompassing treatment for MetS remains elusive, an integrative approach involving tailored lifestyle modifications and emerging functional food therapies holds promise in mitigating its multifaceted manifestations. This study's primary objective is to scrutinize the efficacy of cranberry proanthocyanidins (PAC) in mitigating MetS pathology in mice subjected to standard chow or high-fat/high-fructose (HFHF) diets, with or without PAC (200 mg/kg) administered via daily gavage over 12 weeks. Our focus lies in unraveling intricate mechanisms such as intestinal microbiota and metabolite profiles, along with the modulation of the gut-liver axis and alterations in bile acid profiles, to comprehensively understand PAC's therapeutic potential.