Epigenomic Medicine Laboratory, Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute, The Alfred Medical Research and Education Precinct, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Diabetes Obes Metab. 2012 Jun;14(6):493-9. doi: 10.1111/j.1463-1326.2011.01538.x. Epub 2011 Dec 27.
Obesity levels have increased significantly in the past five decades and are predicted to continue rising, resulting in important health implications. In particular, this has translated to an increase in the occurrence of type II diabetes mellitus (T2D). To alleviate associated problems, certain nutraceuticals have been considered as potential adjuncts or alternatives to conventional prescription drugs. Cinnamon, a commonly consumed spice originating from South East Asia, is currently being investigated as a potential preventative supplement and treatment for insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome and T2D. Extensive in vitro evidence has shown that cinnamon may improve insulin resistance by preventing and reversing impairments in insulin signalling in skeletal muscle. In adipose tissue, it has been shown that cinnamon increases the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors including, PPARγ. This is comparable to the action of commonly used thiazolinediones, which are PPAR agonists. Studies have also shown that cinnamon has potent anti-inflammatory properties. However, numerous human clinical trials with cinnamon have been conducted with varying findings. While some studies have showed no beneficial effect, others have indicated improvements in cholesterol levels, systolic blood pressure, insulin sensitivity and postprandial glucose levels with cinnamon. However, the only measurement consistently improved by cinnamon consumption is fasting glucose levels. While it is still premature to suggest the use of cinnamon supplementation based on the evidence, further investigation into mechanisms of action is warranted. Apart from further characterization of genetic and epigenetic changes in model systems, systematic large-scale clinical trials are required. In this study, we discuss the mechanisms of action of cinnamon in the context of T2D and we highlight some of the associated controversies.
在过去的五十年中，肥胖水平显著增加，预计还会继续上升，这对健康产生了重要影响。特别是，这导致了 2 型糖尿病（T2D）的发生率增加。为了缓解相关问题，某些营养保健品已被认为是传统处方药的潜在辅助药物或替代品。肉桂，一种源自东南亚的常用香料，目前正在被研究作为预防和治疗胰岛素抵抗、代谢综合征和 T2D 的潜在补充剂。大量体外证据表明，肉桂可以通过预防和逆转骨骼肌中胰岛素信号的损伤来改善胰岛素抵抗。在脂肪组织中，已表明肉桂增加了过氧化物酶体增殖物激活受体（PPAR）的表达，包括 PPARγ。这与常用的噻唑烷二酮类药物（PPAR 激动剂）的作用相当。研究还表明，肉桂具有很强的抗炎特性。然而，已经进行了许多关于肉桂的人体临床试验，但结果各不相同。虽然一些研究表明肉桂没有有益的作用，但其他研究表明肉桂可以改善胆固醇水平、收缩压、胰岛素敏感性和餐后血糖水平。然而，唯一能被肉桂消费持续改善的是空腹血糖水平。虽然基于证据，建议使用肉桂补充剂还为时过早，但仍有必要进一步研究其作用机制。除了进一步研究模型系统中遗传和表观遗传变化的特征外，还需要进行大规模的临床研究。在这项研究中，我们讨论了肉桂在 2 型糖尿病中的作用机制，并强调了一些相关的争议。
