Findings from a brand new mouse examine counsel that elenolic acid, a pure compound present in olives, can decrease blood sugar ranges and promote weight reduction. The analysis might pave the way in which to the event of secure and cheap pure merchandise for managing weight problems and kind 2 diabetes in folks.
The researchers discovered that after only one week, overweight mice with diabetes that got oral elenolic acid weighed considerably much less and confirmed higher blood sugar (glucose) regulation than earlier than remedy and in comparison with management overweight mice not receiving elenolic acid. The glucose-lowering impact was comparable with that of the injectable diabetic remedy liraglutide and higher than metformin, one of the vital widespread oral medicines for sort 2 diabetes.
Way of life modifications and public well being measures have had restricted influence on the rising prevalence of weight problems, one of many prime threat components for sort 2 diabetes. Accessible weight problems medication are ineffective in weight reduction upkeep, costly and/or carry potential long-term security dangers. Our objective was to develop safer, cheaper and extra handy multi-targeting brokers that may forestall the prevalence of metabolic issues and kind 2 diabetes.”
Dongmin Liu, PhD,  analysis group chief, professor, Division of Human Vitamin, Meals and Train at Virginia Tech
Hana Alkhalidy, PhD, a analysis scientist in Liu’s lab at Virginia Tech, will current the findings at NUTRITION 2024, the flagship annual assembly of the American Society for Vitamin held June 29–July 2 in Chicago.
Liu’s analysis group focuses on discovering bioactive compounds from pure merchandise for diabetes administration. Beforehand, they appeared for particular molecular targets for pure compounds in components of the physique that actively assist regulate metabolism, such because the pancreas, muscle, fats tissues and liver. Nevertheless, since pure merchandise usually have poor bioavailability, they determined to see if they might as a substitute goal metabolic hormone secretion within the intestine to not directly regulate metabolic operate.
For the brand new work, the researchers started by figuring out pure compounds that act on L-cells, which comprise two metabolic hormones launched throughout a meal. These hormones, referred to as GLP-1 and PYY, work collectively to advertise satiety and forestall overeating whereas additionally controlling blood sugar ranges and metabolism. The screening course of revealed that elenolic acid, which is present in mature olives and further virgin olive oil, can induce the discharge of those hormones within the intestine. They had been capable of make elenolic acid by breaking down its precursor oleuropein, which is inexpensive than extracting it straight from olives.
Exams of the compound in overweight mice with diabetes revealed that mice that obtained oral elenolic acid skilled important enhancements of their metabolic well being in comparison with overweight management mice. After 4 to 5 weeks of remedy, the mice confirmed a ten.7% discount in weight problems in addition to blood sugar ranges and insulin sensitivity that had been similar to these of wholesome lean mice.
The elenolic acid additionally considerably lowered meals consumption and promoted weight reduction, that are related to improved circulating ranges of PYY and GLP-1 and the downregulation of agouti-related peptide within the hypothalamus. Agouti-related peptide is thought to extend consuming and weight acquire when overexpressed.
“General, the examine confirmed that elenolic acid from olives has promising results on hormone launch and metabolic well being, notably in overweight and diabetic situations,” stated Liu. “The compound appears to imitate the physiological situations of consuming to straight promote intestine metabolic hormone secretion, which helps regulate power steadiness and metabolic well being.”
In line with the researchers, the focus of elenolic acid in olive oil or olives could be very low, so the advantages seen on this examine would most probably not be gained from olive merchandise alone.
The analysis group is now working to grasp how this compound creates metabolic advantages by analyzing its journey via the physique to learn how it’s absorbed, distributed, metabolized and excreted. This can even reveal insights into its security for future medical trials.
Alkhalidy will current this analysis at 3:12-3:25 p.m. CDT on Saturday, June 29, through the Bioactives in Well being and Illness oral session in McCormick Place (summary; presentation particulars).
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