(-)-Epicatechin increases apelin/APLNR expression and modifies proteins involved in lipid metabolism of offspring descendants of maternal obesity.

Several studies have shown the beneficial effects of (-)-epicatechin (Epi) in metabolic profile and that this flavanol is a biased ligand of the apelin receptor. The apelinergic system is expressed in adipocytes and has been related to obesity and metabolic disorders. The study aim was to evaluate the effect of Epi on apelin, on its receptor and on proteins involved in lipolysis, lipogenesis, and adipogenesis in the retroperitoneal adipose tissue of male rats descended from obese mothers. We evaluated the effect of Epi in the retroperitoneal adipose tissue of four groups of male offspring, analyzing mRNA expression and protein levels of apelin and its Apj receptor. We also analyzed, by Western Blot, the levels of AMPKα, ACC, C/EBPα, ATGL, Fas, and FABP4 of the AP2 proteins. Epi significantly elevated apelin mRNA expression and protein levels as well as its Apj receptor. Besides, the flavanol significantly promoted AMPKα phosphorylation with the concomitant reduction of Fas, and the increase of the ATGL protein. In contrast, there was an increase in the inactive phosphorylated form of ACC and a decrease in the phosphorylated active form of C/EBPα. Similarly, Epi treatment induced a reduction in the fatty acid-binding protein 4 in the C+Epi and MO+Epi groups. In conclusion, Epi increases the expression of the apelinergic system and the active phosphorylated form of AMPKα; likewise, it modifies the expression level or active form of proteins involved in lipolysis, lipogenesis and adipogenesis in the retroperitoneal adipose tissue of male offspring of obese mothers.