title: Atheroprotective effects of bilberry extracts in apo E-deficient mice.
abstract: Previous studies have demonstrated that the intake of berry foods was associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of two bilberry extracts, one rich in anthocyanins extracted from untreated bilberries (BE) and a second one extracted from yeast-fermented bilberries (FBE), on the development of atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice (apo E(-/-)). Apo E(-/-) mice received for 16 weeks a diet supplemented with 0.02% of either BE or FBE. Atherosclerotic plaque area was measured in the aortic sinus. Supplementation of the diet with both bilberry extracts led to a significant inhibition of plaque development, whereas no effect on oxidative stress parameters or lipid profiles could be observed, suggesting the implication of other mechanisms of action. In addition, a better protection was observed with FBE, suggesting that the fermentation generates new bioactive compounds more effective in attenuating progression of the atherosclerotic lesions.
authors.affiliation: INRA, Unité de Nutrition Humaine, UMR1019, Centre de Recherche de Clermont Ferrand/Theix, Saint Genès Champanelle, France.
authors.forename: Aurelie
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mauray
authors.forename: Dragan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Milenkovic
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Besson
authors.forename: Nelly
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Caccia
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Morand
authors.forename: Francoise
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Michel
authors.forename: Andrzej
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mazur
authors.forename: Augustin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Scalbert
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Felgines
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001057:Apolipoproteins E / Q000235:genetics*; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D020011:Protective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011897:Random Allocation; D029800:Vaccinium myrtillus / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D001057:Apolipoproteins E; D010936:Plant Extracts; D020011:Protective Agents