A <i>Prunus avium</i> L. Infusion Inhibits Sugar Uptake and Counteracts Oxidative Stress-Induced Stimulation of Glucose Uptake by Intestinal Epithelial (Caco-2) Cells

• Main Authors: Juliana A. Barreto-Peixoto (Author), Cláudia Silva (Author), Anabela S. G. Costa (Author), Gerardo Álvarez-Rivera (Author), Alejandro Cifuentes (Author), Elena Ibáñez (Author), M. Beatriz P. P. Oliveira (Author), Rita C. Alves (Author), Fátima Martel (Author), Nelson Andrade (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: MDPI AG, 2023-12-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.

Summary

Sweet cherry (<i>Prunus avium</i> L.) is among the most valued fruits due to its organoleptic properties and nutritional worth. Cherry stems are rich in bioactive compounds, known for their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Innumerable studies have indicated that some bioactive compounds can modulate sugar absorption in the small intestine. In this study, the phenolic profile of a cherry stem infusion was investigated, as well as its capacity to modulate intestinal glucose and fructose transport in Caco-2 cells. Long-term (24 h) exposure to cherry stem infusion (25%, <i>v</i>/<i>v</i>) significantly reduced glucose (³H-DG) and fructose (¹⁴C-FRU) apical uptake, reduced the apical-to-basolateral P_app to ³H-DG, and decreased mRNA expression levels of the sugar transporters <i>SGLT1</i>, <i>GLUT2</i> and <i>GLUT5</i>. Oxidative stress (induced by <i>tert</i>-butyl hydroperoxide) caused an increase in ³H-DG uptake, which was abolished by the cherry stem infusion. These findings suggest that cherry stem infusion can reduce the intestinal absorption of both glucose and fructose by decreasing the gene expression of their membrane transporters. Moreover, this infusion also appears to be able to counteract the stimulatory effect of oxidative stress upon glucose intestinal uptake. Therefore, it can be a potentially useful compound for controlling hyperglycemia, especially in the presence of increased intestinal oxidative stress levels.

Item Description

10.3390/antiox13010059
2076-3921