Bilberries reduce low-grade inflammation in individuals with features of metabolic syndrome.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to determine whether bilberry polyphenols could reduce low-grade inflammation and influence gene expression in individuals with metabolic syndrome.
Results Summary
Bilberry consumption showed a tendency to decrease inflammatory markers (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, IL-6, IL-12, LPS) and significantly improved an inflammation score. Transcriptomics and QPCR analyses indicated altered gene expression related to immune function.
Population
Individuals with metabolic syndrome (n = 27 total, bilberry group n = 15, control group n = 12).
Effective Dosage
Equivalent to 400 g fresh bilberries daily.
Duration
Not specified in the abstract.
Interactions
None mentioned.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
diet rich in bilberries | decrease | serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein | subjects with metabolic syndrome | - | tended to decrease | #1 |
diet rich in bilberries | decrease | IL-6 | subjects with metabolic syndrome | - | tended to decrease | #2 |
diet rich in bilberries | decrease | IL-12 | subjects with metabolic syndrome | - | tended to decrease | #3 |
diet rich in bilberries | decrease | LPS concentrations | subjects with metabolic syndrome | - | tended to decrease | #4 |
diet rich in bilberries | decrease | inflammation score | subjects with metabolic syndrome | - | significantly different | #5 |
diet rich in bilberries | neutral | Toll-like receptor signaling pathways | three participants with improved oral glucose tolerance test in the bilberry group | - | differently regulated | #6 |
diet rich in bilberries | neutral | cytoplasmic ribosomal proteins pathways | three participants with improved oral glucose tolerance test in the bilberry group | - | differently regulated | #7 |
diet rich in bilberries | neutral | B-cell receptor signaling pathways | three participants with improved oral glucose tolerance test in the bilberry group | - | differently regulated | #8 |
diet rich in bilberries | decrease | MMD transcripts | n = 13 in the bilberry group | - | showed decreased expression | #9 |
diet rich in bilberries | decrease | CCR2 transcripts | n = 13 in the bilberry group | - | showed decreased expression | #10 |
diet rich in bilberries | decrease | low-grade inflammation | subjects with metabolic syndrome | - | may reduce | #11 |
diet rich in bilberries | no change | body weight | subjects with metabolic syndrome | - | no differences were found | #12 |
diet rich in bilberries | no change | glucose metabolism | subjects with metabolic syndrome | - | no differences were found | #13 |
diet rich in bilberries | no change | lipid metabolism | subjects with metabolic syndrome | - | no differences were found | #14 |
SCOPE: Low-grade inflammation is a hallmark of cardiometabolic risk. Bilberries (Vaccinium myrtillus) are rich in polyphenols with potential anti-inflammatory properties. We studied the impact of bilberries on inflammation and gene expression profile in peripheral blood mononuclear cells in subjects with metabolic syndrome. METHODS AND RESULTS: In randomized, controlled dietary intervention, the participants consumed either a diet rich in bilberries (n = 15) or a control diet (n = 12). The bilberry group consumed daily an equivalent dose of 400 g fresh bilberries, while the control group maintained their habitual diet. No differences were found between the groups in body weight, glucose, or lipid metabolism, but bilberry supplementation tended to decrease serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, IL-6, IL-12, and LPS concentrations. An inflammation score was significantly different between the groups (p = 0.024). In transcriptomics analyses (three participants with improved oral glucose tolerance test in the bilberry group), Toll-like receptor signaling, cytoplasmic ribosomal proteins, and B-cell receptor signaling pathways were differently regulated. QPCR analyses (n = 13 and 11 in the bilberry and control groups, respectively) showed decreased expression of MMD and CCR2 transcripts associated with monocyte and macrophage function associated genes. CONCLUSION: Regular bilberry consumption may reduce low-grade inflammation indicating decreased cardiometabolic risk in the long term.