Grape seed
proanthocyanidin extract (GSPE) is a natural
flavonoid that exerts anti-inflammatory properties.
Obesity is an inflammatory condition and inflammatory cells and their secretion of pro-inflammatory molecules contribute to the pathogenesis of
obesity.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic
autoimmune disease that is characterized by
inflammation of joints lined by synovium. Previously, we demonstrated that
obesity augmented
arthritis severity in
collagen induced arthritis (CIA), a murine model of human RA. Here, we investigated whether
oral administration of GSPE showed antiobesity and anti-arthritic effects in high-fat diet-induced obese (DIO) mice and in obese CIA mice, respectively. The pathophysiologic mechanisms by which GSPE attenuates
weight gain and
arthritis severity in vivo were also investigated. In DIO mice, GSPE administration significantly inhibited
weight gain, reduced fat infiltration in liver and improved serum
lipid profiles. The antiobesity effect of GSPE was associated with increased populations of regulatory T (Treg) cells and those of decreased Th17 cells. Decrease of Th17 cells was associated with significant inhibition of their key transcriptional factors, pSTAT3(Tyr705) and pSTAT3(Ser727). On the contrary, GSPE-induced Treg induction was associated with enhanced pSTAT5 expression. To identify the anti-
arthritis effects of GSPE, GSPE was given orally for 7 weeks after
type II collagen immunization. GSPE treatment significantly attenuated the development of autoimmune
arthritis in obese CIA model. In line with DIO mice, GSPE administration decreased Th17 cells and reciprocally increased Treg cells by regulating STAT
proteins in autoimmune
arthritis model. The expressions of pro-inflammatory
cytokines and
nitrotyrosine in synovium were significantly inhibited by GSPE treatment. Taken together, GSPE functions as a reciprocal regulator of T cell differentiation - suppression of Th17 cells and induction of Tregs in both DIO and obese CIA mice. GSPE may act as a therapeutic agent to treat
immunologic diseases related with enhanced STAT3 activity such as metabolic disorders and
autoimmune diseases.