title: Bilberries reduce low-grade inflammation in individuals with features of metabolic syndrome.
abstract: METHODS
  Low-grade inflammation is a hallmark of cardiometabolic risk. Bilberries (Vaccinium myrtillus) are rich in polyphenols with potential anti-inflammatory properties. We studied the impact of bilberries on inflammation and gene expression profile in peripheral blood mononuclear cells in subjects with metabolic syndrome.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In randomized, controlled dietary intervention, the participants consumed either a diet rich in bilberries (n = 15) or a control diet (n = 12). The bilberry group consumed daily an equivalent dose of 400 g fresh bilberries, while the control group maintained their habitual diet. No differences were found between the groups in body weight, glucose, or lipid metabolism, but bilberry supplementation tended to decrease serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, IL-6, IL-12, and LPS concentrations. An inflammation score was significantly different between the groups (p = 0.024). In transcriptomics analyses (three participants with improved oral glucose tolerance test in the bilberry group), Toll-like receptor signaling, cytoplasmic ribosomal proteins, and B-cell receptor signaling pathways were differently regulated. QPCR analyses (n = 13 and 11 in the bilberry and control groups, respectively) showed decreased expression of MMD and CCR2 transcripts associated with monocyte and macrophage function associated genes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Regular bilberry consumption may reduce low-grade inflammation indicating decreased cardiometabolic risk in the long term.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Public Health and Clinical Nutrition, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland.
authors.forename: Marjukka
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kolehmainen
authors.forename: Otto
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Mykkänen
authors.forename: Pirkka V
authors.initials: PV
authors.lastname: Kirjavainen
authors.forename: Tiina
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Leppänen
authors.forename: Eeva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Moilanen
authors.forename: Michiel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Adriaens
authors.forename: David E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Laaksonen
authors.forename: Maarit
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hallikainen
authors.forename: Riitta
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Puupponen-Pimiä
authors.forename: Leena
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pulkkinen
authors.forename: Hannu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mykkänen
authors.forename: Helena
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Gylling
authors.forename: Kaisa
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Poutanen
authors.forename: Riitta
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Törrönen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000737:chemistry; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D001835:Body Weight; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D004032:Diet; D005260:Female; D005638:Fruit / Q000737:chemistry; D005951:Glucose Tolerance Test; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D018664:Interleukin-12 / Q000097:blood; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000378:metabolism; D050356:Lipid Metabolism; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D059808:Polyphenols / Q000737:chemistry; D015398:Signal Transduction; D051193:Toll-Like Receptors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D029800:Vaccinium myrtillus / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D015415:Biomarkers; D001786:Blood Glucose; D015850:Interleukin-6; D059808:Polyphenols; D051193:Toll-Like Receptors; D018664:Interleukin-12; D002097:C-Reactive Protein