title: Wild blueberries (Vaccinium myrtillus) alleviate inflammation and hypertension associated with developing obesity in mice fed with a high-fat diet.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Low-grade metabolic inflammation and hypertension are primary mechanisms involved in obesity-associated adverse health effects. Berries, especially Nordic wild blueberries (hereafter referred to as bilberries), represent an important source of dietary anthocyanins, a group of polyphenols with potential beneficial effects to combat obesity-associated metabolic disturbances.
  
  
  METHODS
  The effects of 5% or 10% (w/w) of whole bilberries (BB) were studied on the development of obesity and its metabolic disturbances in C57BL mice fed with a high-fat diet (HFD) for three months. Cytokines, inflammatory cells, systolic blood pressure, glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity, weight gain, body fat, food consumption and energy metabolism were assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Bilberries ameliorated type 1 pro-inflammatory responsiveness induced by HFD. This was indicated by the altered cytokine profile and the reduced prevalence of interferon gamma -producing T-cells, in particular T helper type 1 cells. Bilberries also prevented the progression of obesity associated long term increase in systolic blood pressure in mice.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Bilberries reduce the development of systemic inflammation and prevent the progression of chronic hypertension, thus supporting their potential role in alleviating the adverse health effects associated with developing obesity.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Public Health and Clinical Nutrition, Department of Clinical Nutrition, Food and Health Research Centre, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland.
authors.forename: Otto T
authors.initials: OT
authors.lastname: Mykkänen
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biomedicine, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland.
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Huotari
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biomedicine and Biocenter of Oulu, University of Oulu, Medical Center Oulu and Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland.
authors.forename: Karl-Heinz
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Herzig
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biomedicine, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland.
authors.forename: Thomas W
authors.initials: TW
authors.lastname: Dunlop
authors.affiliation: Institute of Public Health and Clinical Nutrition, Department of Clinical Nutrition, Food and Health Research Centre, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland.
authors.forename: Hannu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mykkänen
authors.affiliation: Institute of Public Health and Clinical Nutrition, Department of Clinical Nutrition, Food and Health Research Centre, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland; Department of Environmental Health, National Institute for Health and Welfare, Kuopio, Finland.
authors.forename: Pirkka V
authors.initials: PV
authors.lastname: Kirjavainen
mesh_terms: D054392:Adipokines / Q000097:blood; D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000187:drug effects; D000818:Animals; D000872:Anthocyanins / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood; D059305:Diet, High-Fat / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004435:Eating / Q000187:drug effects; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000187:drug effects; D005947:Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D056747:Immunomodulation / Q000187:drug effects; D007249:Inflammation / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D010936:Plant Extracts; D029800:Vaccinium myrtillus / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D054392:Adipokines; D000872:Anthocyanins; D015415:Biomarkers; D016207:Cytokines; D008055:Lipids; D010936:Plant Extracts; C073305:Vaccinium myrtillus extract; D005947:Glucose