Proanthocyanidin-rich grape seed extract prevent estrogen deficiency-induced metabolic disorders

The postmenopausal state is associated with an increased risk of metabolic syndrome. Grape seed extract (GSE), a rich source of proanthocyanidins, has beneficial effects on low-grade inflammatory diseases in a high-fat diet-induced obesity model and therefore is a candidate to improve postmenopausal metabolic abnormalities. In the present study, the effects of dietary GSE on body weight and glucose tolerance were examined in ovariectomized (OVX) mice. Female C57BL6/J mice underwent ovariectomy or a sham operation, and OVX mice were orally administered GSE (100 mg/ kg B.W.) or the vehicle solution (OVX+V). Mice in the OVX+V group weighed significantly more than mice in the Sham group. Body weight was significantly lower in the OVX+GSE group than in the OVX+V group. The weights of subcutaneous white adipose tissue (WAT) and visceral WAT were significantly lower in the OVX+GSE group than in the OVX+V group. In glucose tolerance tests, OVX+GSE mice showed significantly lower blood glucose levels at 30 min and 60 min than those in OVX+V mice. In conclusion, we demonstrated that GSE prevents metabolic disorders, such as obesity and glucose intolerance, in OVX mice. These results support the potential therapeutic applications of GSE in postmenopausal women.