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Kaneel en kaneelaldehyde
Kaneelaldehyde, an aromatic oil and the natural fragrance in cinnamon, had previously caught the attention of researchers. Earlier studies with mice had shown that cinnamon can increase the thermogenesis of fat cells, thereby combating obesity and high blood sugar, and thus reducing body fat. Researchers from the University of Michigan have now demonstrated this effect in humans. They also wanted to gain more insight into how the cinnamonaldehyde works by examining the reaction of fat cells to it. They looked at both the direct response and the effect of long-term treatment. For the study, the researchers used adipose tissue from people of different ages, weight classes, and ethnicities. Their findings will be published in December in Metabolism [1].
Scientists were finding that this compound affected metabolism. So we wanted to figure out how—what pathway might be involved, what it looked like in mice and what it looked like in human cells.
Jun Wu, University of Michigan Life Sciences Institute
The cinnamonaldehyde worked directly on the fat cells and had various effects. It increased the activity of protein kinase A signaling (PKA). PKA plays a role in the oxidation of fatty acids, and previous research has shown lower PKA activity in people with obesity [2]. In addition, the activity of thermogenic genes and enzymes was increased. Also, the activation of key regulatory proteins involved in thermogenesis was increased. Think of ucp1 (uncoupling protein), which I recently described in the article on brown and beige fat. Another example is Fgf21 (fibroblast growth factor 21). Activation of Fgf21 in studies with obese and diabetic mice led to a decrease in blood sugar and triglyceride levels [3].
The researchers therefore want to conduct more research into the possibility of using cinnamon in the fight against obesity (and diabetes). A nutrient that has been used in the food industry for years may have a greater chance of being used. People struggling with obesity are likely to prefer using cinnamon to medication.
Wu also points out that researchers still need to learn more about the best way to use cinnamon against obesity without side effects. Therefore, it is not yet recommended to swallow a spoonful of cinnamon after every meal, but we already knew that thanks to YouTube.
References
- Cinnamaldehyde induces fat cell-autonomous thermogenesis and metabolic reprogramming. Jiang, Juan et al. Metabolism – Clinical and Experimental, Volume 77, 58 – 64
- Mantovani G, Bondioni S, Alberti L, et al. Protein Kinase A Regulatory Subunits in Human Adipose Tissue: Decreased R2B Expression and Activity in Adipocytes From Obese Subjects. Diabetes. 2009;58(3):620-626. doi:10.2337/db08-0585.
- Kharitonenkov A, Shiyanova TL, Koester A, Ford AM, Micanovic R, Galbreath EJ, Sandusky GE, Hammond LJ, Moyers JS, Owens RA, Gromada J, Brozinick JT, Hawkins ED, Wroblewski VJ, Li DS, Mehrbod F, Jaskunas SR, Shanafelt AB (Jun 2005). “FGF-21 as a novel metabolic regulator”. The Journal of Clinical Investigation. 115 (6): 1627–35.
