Polyphenols: Regulation of Inflammation and Lipid Metabolism

Increasing evidence has shown the close relationship between inflammation and lipid metabolism. As the essential building blocks of cells, lipids play an important role in regulating cell and systemic metabolism, which further affect fat deposition. Excessive accumulation of fatty acids induces a series of inflammatory cytokines to disrupt the integrity of insulin receptors and cause systemic insulin resistance. The development of insulin resistance-related lipid metabolism dysfunction involves considerable metabolic alterations and the rebuilding of host cell metabolism via a series of remodeling pathways. Recent studies have revealed that polyphenols contribute to maintaining normal lipid metabolism due to their strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which suggest that polyphenols may provide an alternative approach to therapy for chronic disorders, such as fatty liver disease, cardiovascular disease, inflammatory bowel disease, and glucose-lipid metabolism disorders. Although most polyphenols are easy to be degraded after ingestion, recent studies based on the microbiome and metabonomics have indicated that the interaction between natural bioactive compounds and gut microbiota may increase health benefits, either by regulating microbial communities or producing secondary metabolites. Therefore, understanding the regulation of inflammation and lipid metabolism by polyphenols as well as their metabolites, and clarifying the underlying mechanism is necessary for their rational application.

This Research Topic aims to contribute to understanding mechanisms underlying the interaction of inflammation and lipid metabolism, as well as the regulatory effects of polyphenols and their metabolites, to provide new evidence for the rational application of dietary polyphenols.

In this research topic, we welcome submissions of original research or review articles including the following contents:

• The effect and mechanisms of polyphenols on inflammation and lipid metabolism;

• Interaction between polyphenols and gut microbiota;

• Regulation of polyphenols and phenolic metabolites on inflammatory and insulin signaling pathways.