title: Bioactive compounds in cranberries and their role in prevention of urinary tract infections.
abstract: Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon Ait.) ingestion has long been associated with prevention of urinary tract infections. The beneficial mechanism was historically thought to be due to the fruit acids causing a bacteriostatic effect in the urine. However, recently, a group of proanthocyanidins (PACs) with A-type linkages were isolated from cranberry which exhibit bacterial antiadhesion activity against both antibiotic susceptible and resistant strains of uropathogenic P-fimbriated Escherichia coli bacteria. The link between cranberry ingestion and maintenance of urinary tract health as well as the structural diversity, pharmacokinetics, quantification, and bacterial antiadhesion bioactivity of the A-linked cranberry PACs are reviewed.
authors.affiliation: Marucci Center or Blueberry and Cranberry Research and Extension, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Chatsworth, NJ 08019, USA. ahowell@aesop.rutgers.edu
authors.forename: Amy B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Howell
mesh_terms: D000042:Absorption; D001422:Bacterial Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects; D001628:Beverages; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000187:drug effects; D005638:Fruit / Q000737:chemistry*; D008517:Phytotherapy; D044945:Proanthocyanidins / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology; D014552:Urinary Tract Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D029799:Vaccinium macrocarpon / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D044945:Proanthocyanidins