Aronia Juice Research Articles

Is There a FADS2-Modulated Link between Long-Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Plasma Phospholipids and Polyphenol Intake in Adult Subjects Who Are Overweight?

Dietary polyphenols promote cardiometabolic health and are linked with long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in plasma phospholipids (LC-PUFA). The FADS2 polymorphisms are associated with LC-PUFA metabolism and overweight/obesity. This 4-week study examined the link between polyphenol intake, FADS2 variants (rs174593, rs174616, rs174576) and obesity in 62 overweight adults (BMI ≥ 25), allocated to consume 100 mL daily of either: Aronia juice, a rich source of polyphenols, with 1177.11 mg polyphenols (expressed as gallic acid equivalents)/100 mL (AJ, n = 22), Aronia juice with 294.28 mg polyphenols/100 mL (MJ, n = 20), or nutritionally matched polyphenol-lacking placebo as a control (PLB, n = 20). We analyzed LC-PUFA (% of total pool) by gas chromatography and FADS2 variants by real-time PCR. Four-week changes in LC-PUFA, BMI, and body weight were included in statistical models, controlling for gender and PUFA intake. Only upon AJ and MJ, the presence of FADS2 variant alleles affected changes in linoleic, arachidonic, and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). Upon MJ treatment, changes in EPA were inversely linked with changes in BMI (β= −0.73, p = 0.029) and weight gain (β= −2.17, p = 0.024). Only in subjects drinking AJ, the link between changes in EPA and anthropometric indices was modified by the rs174576 variant allele. Our results indicate the interaction between FADS2, fatty acid metabolism, and polyphenol intake in overweight subjects.

Fabrication of Functional Bioelastomer for Food Packaging from Aronia (Aronia melanocarpa) Juice Processing By-Products.

Carbon-neutral and eco-friendly biomass-based processes are recognized as a frontier technology for sustainable development. In particular, biopolymers are expected to replace petrochemical-based films that are widely used in food packaging. In this study, the fabrication conditions of functional (antioxidant and antibacterial) bioelastomers were investigated using by-products from the juice processing (experimental group) and freeze-dried whole fruit (control group). Bioelastomer was fabricated by a casting method in which polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) was mixed with 25 or 50 wt% aronia powder (juice processing by-products and freeze-dried whole fruit). The mechanical properties of the bioelastomers were measured based on tensile strength and Young’s modulus. When the mixture contained 50 wt% aronia powder, the strength was not appropriate for the intended purpose. Next, the surface and chemical properties of the bioelastomer were analyzed; the addition of aronia powder did not significantly change these properties when compared to PDMS film (no aronia powder). However, the addition of aronia powder had a significant effect on antioxidant and antimicrobial activities and showed higher activity with 50 wt% than with 25 wt%. In particular, bioelastomers fabricated from aronia juice processing by-products exhibited approximately 1.4-fold lower and 1.5-fold higher antioxidant and antimicrobial activities, respectively, than the control group (bioelastomers fabricated from freeze-dried aronia powder).

Aronia juice supplementation inhibits lipid accumulation in both normal and obesity model mice

BackgroundObesity is a serious risk factor in health, and it is helpful for dietary supplements to prevent it. Aronia berries have various beneficial effects on health including amelioration of type 2 diabetes, obesity and hypertension. This study examined mechanistically the effects of aronia juice on the white adipose tissues in normal and obesity model mice. MethodsC57BL/6 J mice and KKAy mice were fed on a normal diet for 28 days. During this feeding period, the study group was administered with aronia juice via a water bottle, while the control group was administered with tap water. Furthermore, gene expression and mass spectrometric analyses were performed. ResultsIn both the mouse strains, the size of adipose cells in the study group was significantly smaller than that in the control group. In the study group, expression in the white adipose tissues of Arrdc3 mRNA was suppressed, whereas that of Sirt2 and Ucp1 mRNA was enhanced. In 3T3-L1 cells, non-cytotoxic levels of aronia juice inhibited the lipid accumulation and Arrdc3 mRNA expression. Using reverse-phase liquid chromatography, compounds suppressing Arrdc3 expression in 3T3-L1 cells were isolated from aronia juice. Mass spectrometric analysis suggested that these compounds are vicenin-2 and quercetin-diglycoside. ConclusionThe results suggest that aronia juice inhibits lipid accumulation in white adipose tissues by suppressing Arrdc3 mRNA expression in adipocytes.

The Effects of Aronia melanocarpa Juice Consumption on the mRNA Expression Profile in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells in Subjects at Cardiovascular Risk.

Foods and food products that contain polyphenols are proposed to modulate risk of cardiovascular disease. The aim of this three-arm, crossover, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled intervention study was to examine the impact of Aronia melanocarpa juice (AMJ), high-polyphenol (AMJ treatment, 1.17 g/100 mL polyphenols) and low-polyphenol (dAMJ treatment, 0.29 g/100 mL polyphenols) dose, on the transcriptome in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of 19 subjects at cardiovascular risk. Transcriptome data were obtained by microarray. Bioinformatic functional annotation analysis was performed on both the whole transcriptome datasets and the differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Expression of selected DEGs was validated by RT-qPCR. Administration of AMJ and dAMJ treatments during the two consecutive four-week treatment periods had additive effects on PBMC transcriptome profiles, with the most pronounced and specific effect noticed for AMJ in the last treatment period (TP3) of the trial. Between the high-dose and low-dose treatments in TP3, there was a multitude of overlapping DEGs and DEG-enriched biological processes and pathways, which primarily included immunomodulation and regulation of cell proliferation/death. Increased expression of TNF, IL1B, IL8, RGS1, OSM, and DUSP2 in TP3 was confirmed by RT-qPCR. The results suggest the immunomodulatory effects of prolonged habitual consumption of polyphenol-rich aronia juice in individuals at cardiovascular risk.

Caffeoylquinic acids from aronia juice inhibit both dipeptidyl peptidase IV and α-glucosidase activities

Aronia (Aronia melanocarpa) contains many polyphenols including cyanidin-3,5-diglucoside, and these polyphenols have beneficial effects on lifestyle-related diseases such as type 2 diabetes and obesity. In type 2 diabetes and obesity model KKAy mice, drinking water supplemented with aronia juice reduced blood glucose levels partly through inhibition of dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP IV) activity by cyanidin-3,5-diglucoside. The objective of this study was to find α-glucosidase inhibitors in aronia juice. Polyphenols in aronia juice were first separated using flash chromatography on a reversed-phase column. The fraction with inhibitory activity was further separated using reversed-phase HPLC. Two peak fractions showed inhibitory activity. LC-MS/MS analysis of the fractions indicated that they contained 3-caffeoylquinic acid (3-CQA) and 4-caffeoylquinic acid (4-CQA), respectively. Both CQAs also inhibited DPP IV activity. The results suggest that caffeoylquinic acids in aronia juice are important for the amelioration of type 2 diabetes by the juice.

Isolation of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors from aronia juice

Daily ingestion of aronia juice is known to reduce serum low density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. However, the mechanism is not clear. In this study, the effect of aronia juice on the activity of human β-hydroxy-β-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase, the enzyme mediating the rate-determining step of cholesterol biosynthesis, was studied. Aronia juice inhibited the reductase activity by 57%. Using reverse-phase chromatography, two fractions (F1 and F2) showing significant inhibitory activity against the reductase were obtained from the juice. Liquid chromatography electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry analysis and sugar analysis of these fractions suggested the presence of delphinidin-arabinoside in fraction F1 and petunidin-glycoside-arabinoside in fraction F2, respectively. Since fraction F2 contained only petunidin glycoside as obtained using the total ion chromatogram, petunidin-glycoside-arabinoside seemed to inhibit the activity of HMG-CoA reductase.

Inhibition of streptococcal biofilm formation by Aronia by extracellular RNA degradation.

The accumulation of oral bacterial biofilms is one of the primary etiological factors for oral diseases. Aronia melanocarpa extracts display general health benefits, including antimicrobial activities. This study evaluates the inhibitory effect of Aronia juice on oral streptococcal biofilm formation. Exposure to 1/10-diluted Aronia juice for 1 min significantly decreased in vitro streptococcal biofilm formation (P < 0.001). No remarkable difference was noted in streptococcal growth by Aronia under the same conditions. Interestingly, 1 week of oral rinse with diluted Aronia juice led to significantly fewer salivary streptococcal colony-forming units (CFUs) relative to oral rinsing with tap water (P < 0.05). Furthermore, Aronia exerted an extracellular RNA-degrading effect, and RNase inhibitor alleviated Aronia-dependent streptococcal biofilm inhibition. Aronia might inhibit initial biofilm formation by decomposing extracellular RNA, which plays an important role in bacterial biofilm formation. Our data suggest that oral rinsing with Aronia juice will aid in treating oral biofilm-dependent diseases easily and efficiently. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.

L-Ascorbic acid content and antioxidant capacity in less-known fruit juices

Eight less-known juices are characterised and contents are monitored of selected substances and nutritional parameters. 100% juices were produced of Aloe Vera, Aronia, Blackcurrant, Black elder, Cranberry, Malpighia, Pomegranate and Seaberry by pressing, including the flesh. Total phenolic compounds (TPC) and ascorbic acid (AA) content were analysed as other parameters. The juices were measured on total antioxidant capacity (TAC) as the content of trolox, where the highest levels were found for Malpighia 63.2 mM, when the value was significantly different (P &amp;lt; 0.05) compared with all the other juices, while Aloe Vera had lowest levels with 0.4 mM. The Aronia juice possessed the highest level of TPC (8297 mg of GAE/l). TAC levels very well corresponded with TPC levels while AA content actually did not correlate with TAC values. In addition to the objective analysis, the juices were subjected to a sensory evaluation. Blackcurrant presents an attractive product from the sensorial aspect as well as in terms of the nutritional value.

Protective effects of Aronia melanocarpa juices either alone or combined with extracts from Rosa canina or Alchemilla vulgaris in a rat model of indomethacin-induced gastric ulcers

The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of four Aronia melanocarpa-based juices in a rat model of indomethacin-induced gastric ulceration. The juices wereAM1 and AM2 (produced from aronia fruits at 20 °C and 60 °C, respectively), AMRC (a mixture of AM2 with Rosa canina extract) and AMAV (aronia juice with Alchemilla vulgaris). Male Wistar rats were used. Each of the juices (10 ml/kg) was administered for 10 days. Indomethacin (30 mg/kg) was injected subcutaneously and after 4 h, the effects were estimated.Indomethacin caused heavy destructions of the gastric mucosa, increased the expression of Bax and decreased the expression of Bcl-2, induced a certain increase in lipid peroxidation and a slight decrease in gastric PGE2 content. The pretreatment with the juices reduced the severity of indomethacin-induced gastric lesions and antagonized the effects of indomethacin on apoptosis and lipid peroxidation. The highest was the protective effect of AMAV, the juice with the highest polyphenolic content.The protective effect of Aronia melanocarpa-based juices against indomethacin-induced gastric lesions could be attributed to their polyphenolic contents. The mechanism involved to the highest extent in the protective effect of the juices was the inhibition of apoptosis.

Reduction of blood glucose and HbA1c levels by cyanidin 3,5-diglucoside in KKAy mice

Abstract Aronia melanocarpa has beneficial effects on lifestyle-related diseases. Our previous studies showed that dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP IV) activity was inhibited by cyanidin 3,5-diglucoside from aronia juice and the weight of adipose tissues of mice given aronia juice was also reduced. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of cyanidin 3,5-diglucoside, including aronia juice, on type-2 diabetes through inhibition of DPP IV activity in vivo. Type-2 diabetes and obesity model KKAy mice were divided into three groups containing five mice in each group: a control group that was given water, an aronia group that was given aronia juice, and a cy-dg group that was given cyanidin 3,5-diglucoside solution. Although increased blood glucose and hemoglobin A1c levels were reduced in KKAy mice administered cyanidin 3,5-diglucoside, weight of white adipose tissue was not reduced. These results suggest that cyanidin 3,5-diglucoside has an anti-diabetic effect but not an anti-obesity effect.

New evidence of anthocyanins reduction in fruit juices on Pt electrode, and separate investigation of their oxidized and reduced forms

The deterioration of colour of juices containing anthocyanins when antioxidant (ascorbic acid) is added, shows that the approach to the improvement of antioxidant properties of juices containing anthocyanins should be re-evaluated. Despite the importance of the characterization of content of reduced forms of anthocyanins in a redox system, there are no data about separate investigations of oxidized and reduced forms of redox substances in fruits and fruit products. In this article, new evidence of separate determination of oxidized and reduced forms of anthocyanins in fruit juices on Pt electrode, has been demonstrated. For the first time, electrochemical parameters and mechanism of reduction conversion of oxidized anthocyanins of fruit juices on Pt electrode have been substantiated. It has been established that redox reactions of anthocyanidins of fruit juices under acidic conditions include the transition of electrons in a single reaction, followed by the disproportionation reaction. The treatment of aronia juice on Pt cathode for 20 min allowed for conversion of 44% of oxidized forms of anthocyanins into reduced forms without deterioration of organoleptic properties. The content of anthocyanins, calculated as the content of cyanidin–galactoside, was 250.3 mg per 100 mL FW of aronia juice, including 76.3 mg of reduced forms. Therefore, the electrochemical method allows for separate determination of anthocyanins in fruit juices. It can be seen that electrochemical reduction on Pt electrode is useful for improving antioxidant properties of anthocyanins in fruit juices.

Catechol derived from aronia juice through lactic acid bacteria fermentation inhibits breast cancer stem cell formation via modulation Stat3/IL-6 signaling pathway.

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) as a subpopulation of cancer cells are drug-resistant and radiation-resistant cancer cells to be responsible for tumor progress, maintenance and recurrence of cancer, and metastasis. This study isolated and investigated a new cancer stem cell (CSC) inhibitor derived from lactic acid fermentation products using culture broth with 2% aronia juice. The anti-CSC activity of aronia-cultured broth was significantly higher than that of the control. Activity-guided fractionation and repeated chromatographic preparation led to the isolation of one compound. Using nuclear magnetic resonance and ESI mass spectrometry, we identified the isolated compound as catechol. In this study, we report that aronia-fermented catechol has a novel inhibitory effect on human breast CSCs. Catechol inhibited breast cancer cell proliferation and mammosphere formation in a dose-dependent manner. This compound reduced the CD44high /CD24low subpopulation, ALDH-expressing cell population and the self-renewal-related genes nanog, sox2, and oct4. Catechol preferentially reduced mRNA transcripts and protein levels of Stat3 and did not induce c-Myc degradation. These findings support the novel utilization of catechol for breast cancer therapy via the Stat3/IL-6 signaling pathway. Our results suggest that catechol can be used for breast cancer therapy and that Stat3 expression is a marker of CSCs. Catechol inhibited Stat3 signaling by reducing Stat3 expression and secreted IL-6, a CSC survival factor. These findings support the novel utilization of catechol for breast cancer therapy via Stat3/IL-6 signaling.

Discoloration of resin based composites in natural juices and energy drinks

Background/Aim. Discoloration of dental restorations makes them aesthetically unacceptable and is a frequent reason for replacement of composite restorations. The aim of this study was to evaluate changes of color and fluorescence of resin-based composites (RBCs) exposed to natural juices and energy drinks. Methods. Microhybrid composite Gradia DirectTM Extra Bleach White disc-shaped specimens (n = 35) were immersed in three different natural juices and four different energy drinks. Absorption spectra of natural juices and energy drinks, diffuse reflection and fluorescence of composite samples were measured prior and after seven- day immersion by spectrophotometer Thermo Evolution 600 and spectrofluorometer Fluorolog-3-221. Composite?s color was calculated from diffuse reflection spectra and expressed in CIELAB color space (Commission International de l?Eclairage). Results. All natural juices and energy drinks induced color change of resin based composites, but to the different extent. Only aronia and carrot juices induced total color change considerably higher than clinically acceptable threshold, 9.3 and 6.2, respectively. All energy drinks and aronia juice induced notable decrease in fluorescence; the highest change of 28% was evidenced in the case of aronia juice. Conclusion. Change of color and fluorescence will appear differently with various solutions due to different chemical composition and concentration of colorant species in different beverages. Solutions with higher optical absorption induced higher total color change. Discoloration of composites in aronia and carrot juices is similar to those earlier reported for red wine, tea and coffee.

Uticaj procesa prerade na antioksidativnu aktivnost proizvoda od aronije

In the last decade, agricultural producers in Serbia have been massively reoriented to aronia (Aronia) cultivation. Due to low and inadequately organized purchase, the accumulation of large amounts of aronia forced the producers to organize and start processing. The most common and most represented products of aronia in our market are cold pressed juice, pasteurized sweet syrup and liqueur. Processing can affect a decrease of the bioactive components concentration, as well as the reduction of beneficial effects on the human organism. The antioxidant activity of cold pressed aronia juice, pasteurized sweet aronia syrup and liqueur obtained in double processing of aronia (candied aronia) was studied using the DPPH (1.1-diphenyl- 2-picrylhydrazyl radical) test. The cold pressed juice has shown a higher antioxidant activity compared to the pasteurized sweet syrup. It was noticed that the antioxidant activity of liqueur from candied aronia was preserved but markedly decreased. So far, fresh aronia has mainly been used for the liqueur production, but candied aronia has been proved as an appropriate raw material, too. The liqueur obtained in that way could be applied in food and beverage industry as a substitute for synthetic antioxidants, food colors and aromas.

Fermentation alters the bioaccessible phenolic compounds and increases the alpha-glucosidase inhibitory effects of aronia juice in a dairy matrix following in vitro digestion.

The prevalence of diabetes reached 415 million worldwide in 2015. Polyphenol-rich food intake can benefit the glycemic control for individuals with diabetes. Fermentation may increase the bioavailability of polyphenols, which is generally low. Aronia (Aronia melanocarpa) is a polyphenol-rich berry that is native to North America. Proanthocyanins and anthocyanins are the major phenolic compounds in aronia. In this study, aronia kefir was made by fermenting cow's milk with added aronia juice. The changes in bioaccessible polyphenols of aronia kefir during digestion were assessed using an in vitro model. The impact of fermentation on the potential bioactivity of aronia polyphenols was evaluated. Results showed that the bioaccessible polyphenols in aronia kefir were elevated during digestion and the antioxidant capacity increased (IC50 of DPPH scavenging decreased from 24.07 mg kefir per mL to 8.97 mg kefir per mL). Digested aronia kefir had less bioaccessible anthocyanins (cyanidin-3-galactoside, cyanidin-3-arabinoside and cyanidin-3-xyloside) but similar antioxidant capacity and stronger inhibitory activity on α-glucosidase (IC50: 152.53 mg kefir per mL) compared to the non-fermented control (IC50: 484.93 mg kefir per mL). These results indicate that fermentation may produce metabolites with higher antioxidant capacity and better α-glucosidase inhibitory activity. Utilizing aronia kefir in the diet is a good strategy to help control blood glucose levels without abdominal side effects. Fermentation may be an effective method to increase the bioavailability of dietary polyphenols in food. More studies about the effects of fermentation on polyphenol-rich food are needed to optimize the potential health-promoting properties.

Activity of Serbian Aronia prunifolia against Prototheca wickerhamii and Prototheca zopfii

Background: Beneficial effects of berries have been known from 16th century, but their antimicrobial effects have been explained scientifically only recently. The two most common aronia species are black chokeberry, Aronia melanocarpa [Michx.] Elliot and red chokeberry, Aronia arbutifolia [L.] Elliot. Purple chokeberry (Aronia prunifolia) is a hybrid of these two species. Protothecosis is a disease caused by achlorophyllous algae Prototheca species. Infections with Prototheca species are more common in veterinary medicine. The purpose of this study was to investigate the activity of Aronia prunifolia berries against Prototheca zopfii (P. zopfii) and Prototheca wickerhamii (P. wickerhamii).Materials, Methods &amp; Results: Purple chokeberry juice was made by squeezing the fruits and evaporated to dryness. Extracts of purple aronia were obtained by maceration with ethanol 80 % (v/v) for 24 h. Prototheca zopfii was obtained from udder of cow with mastitis and Prototheca wickerhamii was isolated from human oral cavity. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents were analized using spectrophotometric methods. The chemical composition of the tested substances was determined by a high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method. The examination was conducted by a micro-dilution method according to the guidelines of Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI). Microsoft Excel program 2007 was used for statistical analysis. The antialgal activity was expressed as minimal inhibitory concentrations MIC99, MIC90 and MIC80, the lowest concentration which kills 99%, 90% and 80% of organisms, respectively. Furthermore, minimal algaecide concentration (MAC), the lowest concentration which kills 99.9% of organisms is determined, as well as break point, the lowest concentration at which there is no algal growth.Discussion: The content of ascorbic acid was twice as high in the ethanolic extract as in the juice. Content of polyphenolic compounds was high in both juice and ethanolic extract. The quantity of phenocarbonic acids in juice and ethanolic extract was relatively low. Some of them were found only in juice (ellagic, coumaric and gentisic acids) as opposed to others found only in ethanolic extract (chlorogenic acid). Flavonoids were also detected in juice and ethanolic extract. Extract was much richer in flavonoid content when compared to aronia juice. Catechin was present in concentration of 186.3 mg/ 100 g of dry matter in the aronia juice, and 680.65 mg/ 100 g of dry matter in the ethanolic extract, which was more than 3.6 times higher. Quercetin was found only in the extract. The rutin content was 12 times and the chrysin content was 2.5 times higher in the aronia extract. The biggest difference could be noted in the quantitative contents of anthocyanins, 26 times higher concentration in extract than in juice. In general, higher content of bioactive compounds could be observed in the extract than in the juice. The results showed that the ethanolic extract of aronia fruits exhibited antialgal activity against both Prototheca species, while the juice showed no antialgal activity. This difference in antialgal effect is presumably related to the high content of several groups of biocompounds, especially catechin and anthocyanins, present in the ethanolic extract, and probably their synergistic action. There is no comparable data of antialgal effects of aronia in literature.

초산균 발효에 의한 베리 농축액의 항산화 활성 증진 효과

Antioxidant activities of blackberry juice and aronia juice were enhanced when fermentation was performed by acetic acid bacteria. Acetobacter pasteurianus exhibited 19.84% improvement of antioxidant activity (from 198.12 ± 2.03 to 237.42 ± 7.32 μmol TE/g) after 12 h fermentation of blackberry juice among four acetic acid bacteria. And A. pasteurianus sub sp. Pasteurianus exhibited 9.62% improvement of antioxidant activity (from 204.25 ± 3.98 to 223.89 ± 5.52 μmol TE/g) after 12 h fermentation of aronia juice. Metabolites of blackberry juice were analyzed to investigate the enhancement of antioxidant activity before and after fermentation. As results, Quercetin 7-(rhamnosylglucoside), nicotinic acid adenine dinucleotide, and quercetin 3-O-(6”-acetyl-glucoside) were significantly increased after fermentation by A. pasteurianus.

Reduction of blood pressure by aronia berries through inhibition of angiotensin-converting enzyme activity in the spontaneously hypertensive rat kidney

Background: Aronia berries contain many important effects on potential health, with previous studies suggesting that aronia juice is useful for the treatment of hypertension.Objective: To examine whether aronia berries have improvement effects on hypertension through the inhibition of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) activity.Method: The normal diet containing 10% freeze-dried aronia berries was administered to five spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) in each group for 28 days, with their body weight, food intake, and systolic blood pressure being measured. At 28 days after administration of aronia berry-containing diets, the serum, lungs, and kidneys were isolated and used for measurement of ACE activity.Results: In this study, we found that blood pressure in SHRs fed freeze-dried aronia berries-containing diet decreased compared with the blood pressure in SHRs fed normal diet. We also discovered that the catalytic activity of ACE was reduced in the kidney of SHRs fed freeze-dried aronia berries-containing diet but not in the lungs of aronia berries-administered rats.Conclusion: Aronia berries have beneficial effects on the amelioration of hypertension through inhibition of the kidney renin-angiotensin system.Key word: aronia, hypertension improvement, kidney renin-angiotensin system, ACE.

Effects of Aronia melanocarpa juice on plasma and liver phospholipid fatty acid composition in Wistar rats

Abstract A nutritional placebo-controlled study was performed in Wistar rats in order to investigate the effects of 5-weeks aronia juice consumption towards fatty acid (FA) composition of phospholipids in the plasma and liver, as well as plasma glucose (Glu) and cholesterol levels. The animals were divided into 3 groups of 8 animals each, and randomized to receive either the full polyphenol dose of Aronia melanocarpa juice (AMJ), 4 times less polyphenol dose (¼-AMJ) or polyphenol-lacking placebo beverage (PLB). Each group of 8 male adult Wistar rats received the liquid ad libitum. AMJ decreased the levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) (P &lt; 0.05) vs. PLB. AMJ increased dihomo-γ-linoleic acid (DGLA, 20:3n-6) (P &lt; 0.05) and decreased arachidonic acid content (AA, 20:4n-6) (P &lt; 0.05) vs. PLB in liver phospholipids. AMJ significantly increased monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) levels both in the liver (P &lt; 0.05) and plasma (P &lt; 0.05). Both aronia juice doses elevated the levels of beneficial n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in the plasma and liver. There was a dose-dependent, significant increase (P &lt; 0.001) in cis-vaccenic acid (VA, 18:1n-7) in phospholipids in the plasma and liver. Our results indicate favorable effects of aronia juice intake on lipid parameters in Wistar rats. These findings suggest the potential of aronia dietary intake in cardiometabolic diseases primary prevention strategies in the human population.

Aronia juice suppresses the elevation of postprandial blood glucose levels in adult healthy Japanese

Summary Aronia has various functions toward human health, including the beneficial effect on hypertension, hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia. Recently, we identified cyanidin-3,5-O-diglucoside as DPP IV inhibitor from Aronia juice. We also found its beneficial effect on hyperglycemia in KKAy mice fed aronia juice. In this study, to examine the effect of aronia juice on postprandial blood glucose levels in Japanese, we performed an oral meal tolerance test (OMTT). We found that postprandial blood glucose levels were reduced in aronia juice-administered adult healthy Japanese. We also found that there was no difference of reduction levels of postprandial blood glucose between male and female. We also found that activities of dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP IV), α-glucosidase and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) were reduced by aronia juice. These results suggest that aronia juice suppresses the elevation of postprandial blood glucose levels through inhibition of these enzyme activities and may be useful for prevention of metabolic diseases in adult healthy Japanese.