Protective effect of antioxidants consumption on diabetes, hepatic and vascular complications: alliance between chemistry and biology

Objectives: Oxidative stress plays a major role in the pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes and today new therapeutics target natural antioxidants as an alternative/additional strategy. Our studies, combining chemistry and biology, aimed to compare the anti-oxidant properties of fruits and vegetables (Fu0026V) and to validate in vivo the effect of selected products on diabetes and complications. Methodology: HPLC-ABTS.+ assay was realized on 27 Fu0026V extracts (polar, nonpolar, oil). In vivo, diabetes was induced by 2 months high-fat-high-fructose (HFHF) and dietary measures were then introduced with the selected Fu0026V (red cabbage (RC) and cherry). Anthropomorphic, metabolic and oxidative parameters, hepatic (steatosis…) and vascular (endothelial dysfunction) complications were determined. Results: HPLC-ABTS.+ reaction showed high antioxidant capacity in cherry, RC. However, in vivo , chronic cheery worse diabetes and complications even though dietary-measures delays them. RC prevents all studied-complications and decreases them to physiological levels, especially steatosis and vascular function. Conclusions: Lifestyle changes are necessary but not sufficient to prevent diabetes evolution. RC clearly improves rapidly these benefits. However consumption of a high glycemic-index-antioxidant, like cherry, may be harmful. In fact, chronic consumption of natural sweetened-products masks its beneficial antioxidant effects. Thus, the addition of antioxidants to the foods lifestyle modifications should be targeted.