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Bilberries reduce low-grade inflammation in individuals with features of metabolic syndrome.

Molecular nutrition & food research
October 1, 2012
Marjukka Kolehmainen et al. (14 authors)
Journal ArticleRandomized Controlled TrialResearch Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tHuman StudyClinical
Study Details

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.

Extracted Claims (14)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
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
Abstract

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.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
AdultAnti-Inflammatory AgentsB-LymphocytesBiomarkersBlood GlucoseBody WeightC-Reactive ProteinDietFemaleFruitGlucose Tolerance TestHumansInflammationInterleukin-12Interleukin-6Leukocytes, MononuclearLipid MetabolismMaleMetabolic SyndromeMiddle AgedPolyphenolsSignal TransductionToll-Like ReceptorsVaccinium myrtillus
Study Links
Quality Scores
Safety85
Efficacy75/10
Quality80/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations124
Citations/Year9.5
Relative Citation Ratio4.76
NIH Percentile92.5%
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.95
Weight Score1.62
Normalized Score0.80
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