Maria Margalef

Dr. Maria Margalef

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Noord-Holland, The Netherlands

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

14Years (2013-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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17 July 2014 in Food & Function
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Journal Article
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NGNoemi González-Abuín
Noemi González-Abuín
NMNeus Martínez-Micaelo
Neus Martínez-Micaelo
MMMaria Margalef
Maria Margalef
M Teresa BlayM Teresa Blay
M Teresa Blay
Anna Arola-ArnalAnna Arola-Arnal
Anna Arola-Arnal
Montserrat PinentMontserrat Pinent
Montserrat Pinent
We have previously reported that procyanidins, a class of flavonoids, improve glycemia and exert an incretin-like effect, which was linked to their proven inhibitory effect on the dipeptidyl-peptidase 4 (DPP4) activity. However, their actual effect on incretin levels has not been reported yet. Therefore, in the present study we have evaluated whether a grape seed extract enriched in procyanidins (GSPE) modulates plasma incretin levels and attempted to determine the mechanisms involved. An acute GSPE treatment in healthy Wistar female rats prior to an oral glucose load induced an increase in plasma active glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), which was accompanied by an increase in the plasma insulin/glucose ratio and a simultaneous decrease in glucose levels. In agreement with our previous studies, the intestinal DPP4 activity was inhibited by the GSPE treatment. We have also assayed in vitro whether this inhibition occurs in inner intestinal tissues close to GLP-1-producing cells, such as the endothelium of the capillaries. We have found that the main compounds absorbed by intestinal CaCo-2 cells after an acute treatment with GSPE are catechin, epicatechin, B2 dimer and gallic acid, and that they inhibit the DPP4 activity in endothelial HUVEC cells in an additive way. Moreover, an increase in plasma total GLP-1 levels was found, suggesting an increase in GLP-1 secretion. In conclusion, our results show that GSPE improves glycemia through its action on GLP-1 secretion and on the inhibition of the inner intestinal DPP4 activity, leading to an increase in active GLP-1 levels, which, in turn, may affect the insulin release.

22 January 2016 in Molecular Nutrition & Food Research
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Journal Article
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MMMaria Margalef
Maria Margalef
ZPZara Pons
Zara Pons
LILisard Iglesias-Carres
Lisard Iglesias-Carres
Lluís ArolaLluís Arola
Lluís Arola
BMBegoña Muguerza
Begoña Muguerza
Anna Arola-ArnalAnna Arola-Arnal
Anna Arola-Arnal

1 January 2015 in Journal of Functional Foods
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Journal Article
Open access
MMMaria Margalef
Maria Margalef
ZPZara Pons
Zara Pons
Francisca Isabel BravoFrancisca Isabel Bravo
Francisca Isabel Bravo
BMBegoña Muguerza
Begoña Muguerza
Anna Arola-ArnalAnna Arola-Arnal
Anna Arola-Arnal

9 March 2014 in Journal of Physiology and Biochemistry
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Journal Article
Closed access
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ZPZ. Pons
Z. Pons
LGL. Guerrero
L. Guerrero
MMMaria Margalef
Maria Margalef
Lluís ArolaLluís Arola
Lluís Arola
Anna Arola-ArnalAnna Arola-Arnal
Anna Arola-Arnal
BMBegoña Muguerza
Begoña Muguerza

1 October 2015 in The Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry
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Journal Article
Closed access
MMMaria Margalef
Maria Margalef
ZPZara Pons
Zara Pons
Francisca Isabel BravoFrancisca Isabel Bravo
Francisca Isabel Bravo
BMBegoña Muguerza
Begoña Muguerza
Anna Arola-ArnalAnna Arola-Arnal
Anna Arola-Arnal

1 December 2013 in The Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
LGLigia Guerrero
Ligia Guerrero
MMMaria Margalef
Maria Margalef
ZPZara Pons
Zara Pons
MQMar Quiñones
Mar Quiñones
Lluís ArolaLluís Arola
Lluís Arola
BMBegoña Muguerza
Begoña Muguerza