title: Chronic dietary intake of plant-derived anthocyanins protects the rat heart against ischemia-reperfusion injury.
abstract: Consumption of flavonoid-rich foods and beverages is thought to reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Whereas the biological activities of flavonoids have been characterized in vitro, there are no clear experimental data demonstrating that chronic dietary intake and intestinal absorption of flavonoids actually protects the heart against ischemia-reperfusion injury. We tested whether long-term consumption of specific flavonoids (anthocyanins) included in normal food could render the heart of rats more resistant to myocardial infarction. Maize kernels that differed specifically in their accumulation of anthocyanins were used to prepare rodent food in which anthocyanins were either present or absent. Male Wistar rats were fed the anthocyanin-rich (ACN-rich) or the anthocyanin-free (ACN-free) diet for a period of 8 wk. Anthocyanins were significantly absorbed and detected in the blood and urine of only rats fed the ACN-rich diet. In Langendorff preparations, the hearts of rats fed the ACN-rich diet were more resistant to regional ischemia and reperfusion insult. Moreover, on an in vivo model of coronary occlusion and reperfusion, infarct size was reduced in rats that ate the ACN-rich diet than in those that consumed the ACN-free diet (P < 0.01). Cardioprotection was associated with increased myocardial glutathione levels, suggesting that dietary anthocyanins might modulate cardiac antioxidant defenses. Our findings suggest important potential health benefits of foods rich in anthocyanins and emphasize the need to develop anthocyanin-rich functional foods with protective activities for promoting human health.
authors: Equipe PRETA-Coeur et Nutrition, TIMC-IMAG Unité Mixte de Recherche, Université Jospeh Fourier CNRS 5525, F-38000 Grenoble, France. marie-claire.toufektsian@ujf-grenoble.fr
authors: Marie-Claire
authors: MC
authors: Toufektsian
authors: Michel
authors: M
authors: de Lorgeril
authors: Norbert
authors: N
authors: Nagy
authors: Patricia
authors: P
authors: Salen
authors: Maria Benedetta
authors: MB
authors: Donati
authors: Lucia
authors: L
authors: Giordano
authors: Hans-Peter
authors: HP
authors: Mock
authors: Silke
authors: S
authors: Peterek
authors: Andrea
authors: A
authors: Matros
authors: Katia
authors: K
authors: Petroni
authors: Roberto
authors: R
authors: Pilu
authors: Domenico
authors: D
authors: Rotilio
authors: Chiara
authors: C
authors: Tonelli
authors: Joel
authors: J
authors: de Leiris
authors: François
authors: F
authors: Boucher
authors: Cathie
authors: C
authors: Martin
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000872:Anthocyanins / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D018506:Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; D006321:Heart / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D015428:Myocardial Reperfusion Injury / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009206:Myocardium / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D003313:Zea mays / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000872:Anthocyanins