Attenuation of meal-induced inflammatory and thrombotic responses in overweight men and women after 6-week daily strawberry (Fragaria) intake. A randomized placebo-controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
A pro-thrombotic, pro-inflammatory diet can play a causative role in atherosclerotic-cardiovascular diseases. Dietary intervention studies provide insight into their pathophysiological manifestations and opportunities for prevention and management. We previously showed in an acute-meal setting that a beverage containing polyphenolic- and antioxidant-rich strawberry (Fragaria) vs placebo attenuated postprandial (fed-state) increases in biomarkers of oxidative and inflammatory stress, and insulin concentrations, induced by a high carbohydrate/fat (HCF) meal. In the present study, we aimed to extend our findings and investigate hypotheses related to the effects of chronic/6-week (wk) strawberry consumption on HCF meal-induced increases in glucose, insulin, and indicators of inflammation and hemostasis.


METHODS
In a crossover design, 14 women and 10 men (mean age, BMI: 50.9±15 years, 29.2±2.3 kg/m(2), respectively), were randomized to a 6-wk strawberry or placebo beverage followed by an HCF meal with assessments for 6-hours (h) postprandially.


RESULTS
HCF meal responses after 6-wk strawberry beverage showed significantly attenuated postprandial PAI-1 concentrations compared to the placebo (p =0.002); the difference was most notable at 6 h. The IL-1 β response was attenuated with strawberry compared to the placebo (p =0.05). IL-6 attenuation was apparent but non-significant; IL-6 rose significantly from baseline to 6 h after the HCF meal following a placebo (p ≤0.01), although it remained relatively flat following the strawberry beverage from fasting to 6 h. No significant treatment-related differences were apparent for platelet aggregation, hsCRP, TNF-α, insulin, or glucose.


CONCLUSIONS
These data are the first to suggest that regular consumption of strawberry, a polyphenolic- and antioxidant-rich fruit, may provide protection from HCF meal-induced increases in fibrinolytic and inflammatory factors in at-risk men and women.
Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of California-Davis, CA, USA.
Collin L
CL
Ellis
Indika
I
Edirisinghe
Tissa
T
Kappagoda
Britt
B
Burton-Freeman
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004032:Diet / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D031985:Fragaria; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D053583:Interleukin-1beta / Q000097:blood; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D050177:Overweight / Q000150:complications*; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000379:methods; D017395:Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1 / Q000097:blood; D019518:Postprandial Period; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*
D053583:Interleukin-1beta; D015850:Interleukin-6; D017395:Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1