title: Alaskan wild berry resources and human health under the cloud of climate change.
abstract: Wild berries are integral dietary components for Alaska Native people and a rich source of polyphenolic metabolites that can ameliorate metabolic disorders such as obesity and diabetes. In this study, five species of wild Alaskan berries (Vaccinium ovalifolium , Vaccinium uliginosum , Rubus chamaemorus , Rubus spectabilis , and Empetrum nigrum) were screened for bioactivity through a community-participatory research method involving three geographically distinct tribal communities. Compositional analysis by HPLC and LC-MS(2) revealed substantial site-specific variation in anthocyanins (0.01-4.39 mg/g of FW) and proanthocyanidins (0.74-6.25 mg/g of FW) and identified A-type proanthocyanidin polymers. R. spectabilis increased expression levels of preadipocyte factor 1 (182%), and proanthocyanidin-enriched fractions from other species reduced lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Selected extracts reduced serum glucose levels in C57BL/6J mice by up to 45%. Local observations provided robust insights into effects of climatic fluctuations on berry abundance and quality, and preliminary site-specific compositional and bioactivity differences were noted, suggesting the need to monitor this Alaska Native resource as climate shifts affect the region.
authors.affiliation: Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA.
authors.forename: Joshua
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kellogg
authors.forename: Jinzhi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Courtney
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Flint
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ribnicky
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kuhn
authors.forename: Elvira González
authors.initials: EG
authors.lastname: De Mejia
authors.forename: Ilya
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Raskin
authors.forename: Mary Ann
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Lila
mesh_terms: D000413:Alaska; D000818:Animals; D000872:Anthocyanins / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000187:drug effects; D002460:Cell Line; D057231:Climate Change; D005638:Fruit / Q000737:chemistry; D006262:Health; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D009765:Obesity / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011897:Random Allocation; D027824:Rosaceae / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D000872:Anthocyanins; D001786:Blood Glucose; D010936:Plant Extracts