Abstract
Grape polyphenols have previously been shown to improve gut health and attenuate the symptoms of metabolic syndrome; however, the mechanism of these beneficial effects is still debated. In this study, we investigated the protective effect of proanthocyanidin-rich grape seed extract (GSE) on bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced oxidative stress, inflammation, and barrier integrity of human Caco-2 colon cells. GSE significantly reduced the LPS-induced intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and mitochondrial superoxide production, and upregulated the expression of antioxidant enzyme genes. GSE also restored the LPS-damaged mitochondrial function by increasing mitochondrial membrane potential. In addition, GSE increased the expression of tight junction proteins in the LPS-treated Caco-2 cells, increased the expression of anti-inflammatory cytokines, and decreased pro-inflammatory cytokine gene expression. Our findings suggest that GSE exerts its beneficial effects on metabolic syndrome by scavenging intestinal ROS, thus reducing oxidative stress, increasing epithelial barrier integrity, and decreasing intestinal inflammation.