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Review
. 2023 Feb 12;15(4):928.
doi: 10.3390/nu15040928.

Beneficial Effects of ε-Viniferin on Obesity and Related Health Alterations

Affiliations
Review

Beneficial Effects of ε-Viniferin on Obesity and Related Health Alterations

Saioa Gómez-Zorita et al. Nutrients. .

Abstract

Viniferin is a phenolic compound belonging to the group of stilbenoids. In particular, ε-viniferin is a dimer of resveratrol, found in many plant genders, among which grapes (Vitis vinifera) are a primary source. Due to the fact that ε-viniferin is mainly present in the woody parts of plants, their use as a source of this bioactive compound is a very interesting issue in a circular economy. Both, in vitro studies carried out in pre-adipocytes and mature adipocytes and in vivo studies addressed in mice show that ε-viniferin is able to reduce fat accumulation. Moreover, it prevents the development of some obesity co-morbidities, such as type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemias, hypertension and fatty liver. ε-viniferin can be absorbed orally, but it shows a very low bioavailability. In this scenario, further research on animal models is needed to confirm the effects reported in a great number of studies; to determine which metabolites are involved, including the main one responsible for the biological effects observed and the mechanisms that justify these effects. In a further phase, human studies should be addressed in order to use ε-viniferin as a new tool for obesity management, as a nutraceutical or to be included in functional foods.

Keywords: dyslipidemia; fatty liver; glucose homeostasis; hypertension; obesity; viniferin.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Resveratrol and viniferin chemical structures and viniferin forms classified according to the oligomer type of resveratrol [4].
Figure 2
Figure 2
Grape canes, grape pomace and wine lees can be used for the extraction of viniferin.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Structure of glucuronide metabolites of ε-viniferin. Glucu: glucuronide group.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Schematic representation of ε-viniferin effects in obesity and related health alterations. ACE: angiotensin-converting enzyme, AMPK: AMP kinase, CAT: catalase, GPx: glutathione peroxidase, HFD: high-fat diet, Mcp1: monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, Pparγ: peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma, TG: triglyceride, WAT: white adipose tissue.

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