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Resveratrol and Quercetin May Play Role in Weight Management

Resveratrol and Quercetin May Play Role in Weight Management

A new in vitro study indicates that resveratrol and quercetin inhibit fat accumulation in adipocytes (fat cells).

Certain flavonoids have specific effects on biochemical and metabolic functions of fat cells. Therefore, in a cell culture study, researchers investigated the effects of the flavonoids resveratrol and quercetin on fat cell genesis and fat cell death.

Results indicated that resveratrol and quercetin, when given to the fat cells separately, each suppressed fat accumulation in maturing pre-adipocytes by 9 to 15 percent respectively. The combination of resveratrol and quercetin decreased lipid accumulation cells by more than 68 percent.

Furthermore, combinations of resveratrol and quercetin significantly decreased the expression of two factors involved in fat cell maturation: peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor gamma (PPAR gamma) and CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein. Resveratrol and quercetin also individually decreased the viability of mature fat cells by 18 and 15 percent respectively. When administered together, the two flavonoids increased programmed cell death (apoptosis) in the mature adipocytes more than the single compounds alone.

Reference:

Yang JY, Della-Fera MA, Rayalam S, Ambati S, Hartzell DL, Park HJ, Baile CA. Enhanced inhibition of adipogenesis and induction of apoptosis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes with combinations of resveratrol and quercetin. Life Sci. 2008 Mar 21. Published online ahead of print.