title: Cranberry proanthocyanidins and the maintenance of urinary tract health.
abstract: One of the major health benefits attributed to the ingestion of cranberry juice is the maintenance of urinary tract health. Traditionally, the juice was thought to cause acidification of the urine resulting in a bacteriostatic effect. However, recent research has demonstrated that a bacterial antiadhesion mechanism is responsible. Proanthocyanidins with unique molecular structures have been isolated from cranberry fruit that exhibit potent bacterial antiadhesion activity. Little is known about the bioavailability and structure-activity relationships of cranberry proanthocyanidins. Data on how certain structural features of the molecules can influence bioactivity and bioavailability are reviewed.
authors.affiliation: Marucci Center for Blueberry and Cranberry Research and Extension, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Chatsworth 08019, USA. ahowell@aesop.rutgers.edu
authors.forename: Amy B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Howell
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000872:Anthocyanins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001422:Bacterial Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects*; D001628:Beverages; D001682:Biological Availability; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000187:drug effects / Q000472:pathogenicity / Q000502:physiology; D004927:Escherichia coli Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D058870:Food, Organic; D006801:Humans; D008970:Molecular Weight; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D044945:Proanthocyanidins; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship; D014552:Urinary Tract Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D029799:Vaccinium macrocarpon / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D000872:Anthocyanins; D010936:Plant Extracts; D044945:Proanthocyanidins; C013221:proanthocyanidin