title: Chronic cranberry juice consumption restores cholesterol profiles and improves endothelial function in ovariectomized rats.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Postmenopausal women experience higher risks for cardiovascular diseases than age-matched men and pre-menopausal women. There is a need for better treatment strategy for estrogen-deficient-related cardiovascular complications. We and others have recently reported that activated renin-angiotensin system and the associated oxidative stress impaired endothelium-dependent relaxation in ovariectomized rat, while angiotensin receptor blocker rescues endothelial dysfunction. Dietary supplements and lifestyle modifications provide an alternative way to improve cardiovascular health. The present study tests the hypothesis that chronic cranberry juice consumption improves cholesterol profiles and vascular functions in estrogen-deficient animal model. The effect of cranberry consumption on expression and activity of renin-angiotensin system in the vasculature will be determined.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ovariectomized rats were treated daily with commercial cranberry juice at 7 mg/kg for 8 weeks, a dosage comparable to recent clinical studies. Serum was collected for measuring cholesterol levels while aorta was isolated for isometric force assay and expression studies.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Cranberry juice consumption reduced circulating levels of total cholesterol, triacylglycerols, HDL, nHDL, and nHDL/HDL ratio. Meanwhile, cranberry juice consumption improved endothelium-dependent relaxation in aorta of ovariectomized rats by restoring p-eNOS level (endothelial nitric oxide synthase phosphorylated at ser-1177), reversing the up-regulated levels of renin-angiotensin system markers (angiotensin-converting enzyme, angiotensin II, and angiotensin II type 1 receptor), and normalizing the elevated NAD(P)H oxidase expression and oxidative stress.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our data demonstrate the novel cardiovascular benefits of cranberry juice consumption in improving both vascular functions and cholesterol profiles, providing insight into developing cranberry products into useful dietary supplements for postmenopausal women.
authors: Institute of Vascular Medicine, Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China. lyung@partners.org
authors: Lai-Ming
authors: LM
authors: Yung
authors: Xiao Yu
authors: XY
authors: Tian
authors: Wing Tak
authors: WT
authors: Wong
authors: Fung Ping
authors: FP
authors: Leung
authors: Lai Hang
authors: LH
authors: Yung
authors: Zhen Yu
authors: ZY
authors: Chen
authors: Chi Wai
authors: CW
authors: Lau
authors: Paul M
authors: PM
authors: Vanhoutte
authors: Xiaoqiang
authors: X
authors: Yao
authors: Yu
authors: Y
authors: Huang
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging; D000818:Animals; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001013:Aorta, Thoracic / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D001628:Beverages / Q000032:analysis; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D015536:Down-Regulation; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D005638:Fruit / Q000737:chemistry*; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D052250:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III / Q000378:metabolism; D010052:Ovariectomy / Q000009:adverse effects; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D010766:Phosphorylation; D011499:Protein Processing, Post-Translational; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012084:Renin-Angiotensin System; D029799:Vaccinium macrocarpon / Q000737:chemistry*; D014664:Vasodilation
chemical_list: D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D000975:Antioxidants; D002784:Cholesterol; D052250:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III; C496316:Nos3 protein, rat