Blueberry Supplementation Research Articles

Dietary interventions and cognition: A systematic review of clinical trials.

Prevalence of Alzheimer's Disease and other forms of dementia is increasing in accordance with the increase of life expectancy and the resulting world population aging, while an effective pharmaceutical treatment is pending. These facts underline the need for development of targeted interventions that could decrease the incidence of dementia. Dietary supplementation, especially sources of ω-3 fatty acids and polyphenols such as fish oil and blueberries respectively, have been reported to have a beneficial effect on cognitive functioning. The aim of this review is to summarize the most recent findings of clinical studies investigating the effect of dietary supplementation on cognitive performance and identify potential effective interventions. For this purpose, PubMed, Scopus and Google Scholar research was conducted and a total of ten studies met the selection criteria. Four of these studies investigated the effect of ω-3 fatty acid supplementation. Two of these presented significant benefits in certain domains of cognitive functions (such as working memory, space imagery efficiency perceptual speed), in full scale IQ as well as prevention of hippocampal atrophy while the remaining two did not report any improvements. Two more studies investigated the effect of polyphenol supplementation and reported minor benefits in spatial memory as well as enhanced stimulation of certain brain regions. One study compared the effect of fish oil and blueberry supplementation as well as their combination and presented cognitive benefits for both fish oil and blueberries but not for their simultaneous administration. Finally, three more studies investigated the effect of DW 2009 soybean, ashwagandha and a nutraceutical formulation and reported cognitive benefits in attention, memory and global cognition respectively for their intervention groups. In total, eight studies investigated interventions on people with Mild Cognitive Impairment or Subjective Cognitive Impairment and all of them reported significant cognitive benefits in some cognitive domains. On the contrary, the remaining two studies included individuals with diagnosed dementia reported minimal to hardly any benefits. Conclusively, the interventions of the studies reviewed seem promising for individuals at risk of dementia, but not for those who are already diagnosed with dementia. However, further research is required to validate their effect as well as determine recommended doses.

Blueberries effects in experimental diet-induced prediabetes: a focus on renal impairment

Abstract Introduction Benefits arising from blueberry (BB) consumption are well-described in type 2 diabetes evolution and inherent complications. Lending further support to this thesis, previous work from our group unequivocally demonstrates BB supplementation efficacy to manage prediabetic hepatic liver steatosis. Whether a similar effect also holds truth in early renal impairment is an unsolved issue. Objectives To address blueberry juice (BJ) ability to exert renoprotective effects in experimental prediabetes. Methodology Diet-induced prediabetes [high-sucrose (35% Hsu) and high-fat (60% HF)] was developed in adult male Wistar rats through the ingestion of HSu for 9 weeks supplemented by HF for another 14 weeks (HSuHF, n = 16). On W9, half of the former animals orally received BJ (25g/kg BW, HSuHF+BJ). Control animals (n = 8) received standard diet during the entire protocol. Functional [serum and urinary creatinine, uric acid, glucose; glomerular filtration rate (GFR)], structural [H&E and Oil Red O staining] and molecular [triglycerides content and inflammation (RT-qPCR, WB)] markers of renal injury were assessed along with metabolic profile. Results Even though diet-induced glucose intolerance, insulin insensitivity and plasmatic hypertriglyceridemia were significantly ameliorated upon BJ treatment, this nutraceutical intervention was unable to halt or slow down renal lipidosis and glomerular crescent-like lesions apart from a slight amelioration of both GFR and IL-6 levels in HSuHF-treated rats. Conclusion Unlike previous results clearly demonstrating the ability of BJ nutraceutical intervention to afford protection against metabolic impairment and hepatic steatosis evolution in experimentally diet-induced prediabetes, only a modest renoprotective effect was observed in functional and morphological renal endpoints. Future studies are warranted to dissect the divergent effects of BJ on early liver and kidney impairment.

Effect of 4 weeks daily wild blueberry supplementation on symptoms of depression in adolescents.

Adolescence is an important period for cognitive maturation and emotional regulation, and this age group is particularly vulnerable to developing depression. Diets rich in fruits and vegetables have been associated with decreased risk of developing depressive disorders across the lifespan, maybe due to the high flavonoid content of these foods. Previously, we have shown increases in transient positive affect (PA) in both children and young adults 2 h after administration of a wild blueberry (WBB) intervention. Here, using a randomised double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, we investigated the effects of 4 weeks, daily WBB supplementation (containing about 253 mg anthocyanins) on transient and chronic mood in adolescents. Healthy 12-17-year old (n 64, thirty-five females) participants were randomly assigned to receive either a WBB or matched placebo supplementation. Depression and anxiety symptoms were assessed before and after the intervention period using the Mood and Feeling Questionnaire and Revised Child Anxiety and Depression Scale. Transient affect was assessed before, 2 weeks and at 4 weeks using PA and negative affect. Following the intervention period, there were significantly fewer self-reported depression symptoms in participants who were supplemented with WBB compared with placebo (P = 0·02, 95 % CI -6·71, -5·35). There was no between-group effect on anxiety symptoms or on transient affect. Further investigation is required to identify specific mechanisms that link flavonoids consumption and mood. If replicated, the observed effects of WBB supplementation may be a potential prevention strategy for adolescent depression and may have benefits for public mental health.

Cognitive performance in relation to urinary anthocyanins and their flavonoid-based products following blueberry supplementation in older adults at risk for dementia

Abstract We performed a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled trial with blueberry supplementation in older adults with mild cognitive impairment. We measured cognitive performance and parent (unmodified food form) anthocyanins and a suite of flavonoid-based phase 2 metabolites arising from anthocyanins in urine. The blueberry-treated group exhibited improved semantic access (p = 0.01) and visual-spatial memory (p = 0.05), and there was a trend for enhanced speed of processing (p = 0.08). There was no group difference in urinary excretion of total anthocyanins (parent plus metabolite forms) due to an abundance of phase 2 metabolites in both groups. However, parent anthocyanins (less than 0.1% of total) were 100 times greater in the blueberry group and were correlated with neurocognitive benefit. Ongoing blueberry intake introduced in advance of dementia improved cognitive performance, which was correlated specifically with the recent intake of blueberry and an abundance of parent anthocyanins.

Four Days of Blueberry Powder Supplementation Lowers the Blood Lactate Response to Running But Has No Effect on Time-Trial Performance.

Blueberries are abundant with anthocyanins possessing antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. As these properties combat fatigue and promote recovery, blueberry supplementation may enhance performance and recovery. Thus, the objectives were to examine the effects of two blueberry supplementation protocols on running performance, physiological responses, and short-term recovery. Using a randomized, double-blind, placebo (PLA)-controlled crossover design, 14 runners completed an 8-km time trial (TT) after supplementation with 4 days of blueberries (4DAY), 4 days of a PLA, or 2 days of placebo followed by 2 days of blueberries (2DAY). Heart rate and ratings of perceived exertion were monitored during the TT. Blood lactate, vertical jump, reactive strength index, and salivary markers were assessed before and after. No significant differences were observed for time to complete the TT (PLA: 3,010 ± 459s; 2DAY: 3,014 ± 488s; 4DAY: 3,011 ± 423s), heart rate, ratings of perceived exertion, or any of the salivary markers. An interaction effect (p = .027) was observed for blood lactate, with lower post-TT concentrations in 4DAY (5.4 ± 2.0mmol/L) than PLA (6.6 ± 2.5mmol/L; p = .038) and 2DAY (7.4 ± 3.4mmol/L; p = .034). Post-TT decreases in vertical jump height were not different, whereas the decline in reactive strength index was less following 4DAY (-6.1% ± 13.5%) than the other conditions (PLA: -12.6% ± 10.1%; 2DAY: -11.6% ± 11.5%; p = .038). Two days of supplementation did not influence performance or physiological stress. Although 4 days of supplementation did not alter performance, it blunted the increase in blood lactate, perhaps reflecting altered lactate production and/or clearance, and offset the decrease in dynamic muscle function post-TT, as indicated by the reactive strength index differences.

Blueberry-Based Meals for Obese Patients with Metabolic Syndrome: A Multidisciplinary Metabolomic Pilot Study.

A pilot study was carried out on five obese/overweight patients suffering from metabolic syndrome, with the aim to evaluate postprandial effects of high fat/high glycemic load meals enriched by blueberries. Postprandial urine samples were analyzed by 1H-NMR spectroscopy after 2 and 4 h from ingestion to identify potential markers of blueberry intake. Significant decrease of methylamines, acetoacetate, acetone and succinate, known indicators of type 2 diabetes mellitus, were observed after the intake of meals enriched with blueberries. On the other hand, an accumulation of p-hydroxyphenyl-acetic acid and 3-(3’-hydroxyphenyl)-3-hydropropionic acid originating from gut microbial dehydrogenation of proanthocyanidins and procyanidins was detected. Real-time PCR-analysis of mRNAs obtained from mononuclear blood cells showed significant changes in cytokine gene expression levels after meals integrated with blueberries. In particular, the mRNAs expression of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and Transforming Growth Factor-β (TGF-β), pro and anti-inflammation cytokines, respectively, significantly decreased and increased after blueberry supplementation, indicating a positive impact of blueberry ingestion in the reduction of risk of inflammation. The combined analysis of the urine metabolome and clinical markers represents a promising approach in monitoring the metabolic impact of blueberries in persons with metabolic syndrome.

Blueberry Supplementation Mitigates Altered Brain Plasticity and Behavior after Traumatic Brain Injury in Rats.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) compromises neuronal function required for hippocampal synaptic plasticity and cognitive function. Despite the high consumption of blueberries, information about its effects on brain plasticity and function under conditions of brain trauma is limited. The efficacy of dietary blueberry (BB) supplementation to mitigate the effects of TBI on plasticity markers and associated behavioral function in a rodent model of concussive injury are assessed. Rats were maintained on a diet supplemented with blueberry (BB, 5% w/w) for 2 weeks after TBI. It is found that BB supplementation mitigated a loss of spatial learning and memory performance after TBI, and reduced the effects of TBI on anxiety-like behavior. BB supplementation prevents a reduction of molecules associated with the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) system action on learning and memory such as cyclic-AMP response element binding factor (CREB), calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII). In addition, BB supplementation reverses an increase of the lipid peroxidation byproduct 4-hydroxy-nonenal (4-HNE) after TBI. Importantly, synaptic and neuronal signaling regulators change in proportion with the memory performance, suggesting an association between plasticity markers and behavior. Data herein indicate that BB supplementation has a beneficial effect in mitigating the acute aspects of the TBI pathology.

Whole blueberry protects pancreatic beta-cells in diet-induced obese mouse

BackgroundBlueberry is rich in bioactive substances and possesses powerful antioxidant potential, which can protect against oxidant-induced and inflammatory cell damage and cytotoxicity. The aim of this study was to determine how blueberry affects glucose metabolism and pancreatic β-cell proliferation in high fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice.MethodsWild type male mice at age of 4 weeks received two different kinds of diets: high-fat diet (HFD) containing 60% fat or modified HFD supplemented with 4% (wt:wt) freeze-dried whole blueberry powder (HFD + B) for 14 weeks. A separate experiment was performed in mice fed with low-fat diet (LFD) containing 10% fat or modified LFD + B supplemented with 4% (wt:wt) freeze-dried whole blueberry powder. The metabolic parameters including blood glucose and insulin levels, glucose and insulin tolerances were measured.ResultsBlueberry-supplemented diet significantly increased insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance in HFD + B mice compared to HFD mice. However, no difference was observed in blood glucose and insulin sensitivity between LFD + B and LFD mice. In addition, blueberry increased β-cell survival and prevented HFD-induced β-cell expansion. The most important finding was the observation of presence of small scattered islets in blueberry treated obese mice, which may reflect a potential role of blueberry in regenerating pancreatic β-cells.ConclusionsBlueberry-supplemented diet can prevent obesity-induced insulin resistance by improving insulin sensitivity and protecting pancreatic β-cells. Blueberry supplementation has the potential to protect and improve health conditions for both type 1 and type 2 diabetes patients.

Sex-Specific Changes in Gut Microbiome Composition following Blueberry Consumption in C57BL/6J Mice.

The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of blueberries improve vascular function and insulin sensitivity. However, the bioavailability of the active compounds in blueberries is largely dependent on the gut microbiota, which may themselves be altered by blueberry components. The objective of the current study was to explore a possible sex-dependent modulation of the gut microbiota following supplementation with blueberries in adult mice. Eight-week-old C57BL/6J mice (n = 7–10/group) were provided with control or blueberry-containing diets (5% freeze-dried powder) for 4 weeks. Body weight, composition, and food intake were measured weekly. Genomic DNA was isolated from the cecal contents for 16S rRNA sequencing. Blueberry feeding decreased α-diversity (operational taxonomical unit abundance) and altered β-diversity (p < 0.05). At the phylum level, the Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes ratio was significantly lower in the blueberry-fed groups (p < 0.001), along with increased Tenericutes and decreased Deferribacteres. At the genus level, blueberry feeding led to sexually-dimorphic differences, which were associated with predicted metabolic pathways. Pathways such as fatty acid and lipid metabolism were significantly different and demonstrated a stronger association with microbes in the male. To summarize, blueberry supplementation led to sexually-dimorphic global changes in the gut microbiome, which could possibly contribute to physiological changes in mice.

Complex interaction of dietary fat and Alaskan bog blueberry supplementation influences manganese mediated neurotoxicity and behavioral impairments

Dietary fat modulates neuronal health and contributes to age-related nervous system disorders. However, the complex interaction between dietary fat and supplementation and its consequences on neurotoxic pathophysiology has been sparsely explored. The indigenous Alaskan bog blueberry (BB), Vaccinum uliginosum, is known to have anti-inflammatory properties, mostly attributed to its rich polyphenolic content. Here, we evaluate the interplay between dietary fat and BB supplementation on sub-chronic manganese (Mn) exposure that inflicts neurotoxicity and behavioral impairments. In both low-fat and normal-fat diets, BB supplementation attenuated the behavioral and the molecular hallmarks of Mn-induced neurotoxicity. On the contrary, a high-fat diet was found to exacerbate these Mn-induced pathological features. Furthermore, BB supplementation failed to recover the behavioral deficits in mice subjected to a high fat diet in Mn-treated mice. Overall, our results demonstrate the importance of including a dietary regimen comprised of polyphenolic rich supplements with low-fat content in combating age-related neurodegenerative disorders.

The effects of acute wild blueberry supplementation on the cognition of 7\u201310-year-old schoolchildren

PurposePrevious evidence suggests consumption of flavonoids, a sub-class of polyphenols, is associated with improved cognitive function across the lifespan. In particular, acute intervention of a flavonoid-rich wild blueberry (WBB) drink has been shown to boost executive function (EF), short-term memory and mood 2–6 h post-consumption in 7–10-year-old children. However, confirmation of the aspects of EF and memory susceptible to WBB ingestion is required, particularly during childhood, a critical period of neurological development. In addition, the child literature on berry flavonoid supplementation and cognition highlights the potential for such interventions to elicit positive benefits to real-world educational scenarios, such as reading, a complex ability which relies upon aspects of cognition already known to improve following WBB.MethodsHere we examined which aspects of EF and memory are susceptible to acute WBB, as well as investigating whether acute WBB could further benefit reading ability. Fifty-four healthy children, aged 7–10 years, consumed a 200 ml WBB drink (253 mg anthocyanins) or a matched placebo according to a randomised, single-blind, parallel-groups design. Verbal memory (Auditory Verbal Learning Task; AVLT), EF (Modified Attention Network Task; MANT), and reading efficiency (Test of Word Reading Efficiency-2; TOWRE-2) were assessed at baseline and 2 h post-consumption.ResultsFor the MANT, significantly quicker RTs were observed for WBB participants when compared to placebo participants on 120 ms trials, without cost to accuracy. Furthermore, WBB participants showed enhanced verbal memory performance on the AVLT, recalling more words than placebo participants on short delay and memory acquisition measures post-consumption. Despite these significant improvements in cognitive performance, no significant effects were observed for reading measures.ConclusionConsumption of WBB was found to significantly improve memory and attentional aspects of EF. This indicates that a flavonoid-rich blueberry product, equivalent to 240 g or 1½ cups of fresh blueberries can provide acute cognitive benefits in children. These findings support accumulating evidence that flavonoid-rich products are beneficial for healthy brain function, particularly during critical developmental periods. However, the lack of findings relating to reading ability suggested acute WBB may not be sufficient to elicit benefits to reading. Chronic supplementation and other more sensitive reading measures should be considered for examining the effects of WBB on such a complex skill in the future.

The effects of acute and chronic wild blueberry supplementation on cognition and reading ability of 7-10 year olds

The effects of acute and chronic wild blueberry supplementation on cognition and reading ability of 7-10 year olds

Dietary supplementation with blueberry partially restores T-cell-mediated function in high-fat-diet-induced obese mice.

Blueberry, rich in antioxidant and anti-inflammatory phytochemicals, has been demonstrated to lower inflammatory status in adipose induced by high-fat diet (HFD) and obesity. The effect of blueberry on systemic immune functions has not been examined. C57BL/6 mice were randomised to one of three diets - low-fat diet (LFD), HFD and HFD plus 4 % (w/w) blueberry (HFD+B) - for 8 or 12 weeks. Ex vivo T-cell mitogens (concanavalin A (Con A); phytohaemagglutinin), T-cell antibody (anti-CD3; anti-CD3/CD28)-stimulated T-cell proliferation and cytokine production were assessed. After 8 weeks, both HFD groups weighed more (>4 g) than the LFD group; after 12 weeks, HFD+B-fed mice weighed more (>6 g) and had 41 % more adipose tissue than HFD-fed mice (P<0·05). After 12 weeks, T-cell proliferation was less in both HFD groups, compared with the LFD group. HFD-associated decrements in T-cell proliferation were partially (10-50 %) prevented by blueberry supplementation. At 12 weeks, splenocytes from HFD mice, but not from HFD+B mice, produced 51 % less IL-4 (CD3/CD28) and 57 % less interferon-γ (Con A) compared with splenocytes from LFD mice (P<0·05). In response to lipopolysaccharide challenge, splenocytes from both HFD groups produced 24-30 % less IL-6 and 27-33 % less TNF-α compared with splenocytes from LFD mice (P<0·05), indicating impaired acute innate immune response. By demonstrating deleterious impacts of HFD feeding on T-cell proliferation and splenocyte immune responses, our results provide insights into how HFD/obesity can disrupt systemic immune function. The protective effects of blueberry suggest that dietary blueberry can buttress T-cell and systemic immune function against HFD-obesity-associated insults.

Changes of hippocampus proteomic profiles after blueberry extracts supplementation in APP/PS1 transgenic mice

Objective: To examine protein changes in the hippocampus of APP/PS1 transgenic mice after blueberry extracts (BB) intervention.Methods: Eight APP/PS1 transgenic mice were randomly assigned to Alzheimer’s disease (AD)+BB group (n=4) and AD+control group (n=4). After a 16-week treatment, 2-DE and MALDI-TOF-MS were used to compare the proteomic profiles of the hippocampus in the two groups and Western blot was used to confirm the important differentially expressed proteins.Results: Twelve proteins were differentially expressed between the two groups. Nine of them were identified. Cytochrome b-c1 complex subunit 6, beta-actin, dynamin 1, and heat shock cognate 71 were up-regulated in AD+BB group, while a-enolase, stress-induced-phosphoprotein 1, malate dehydrogenase (MDH), MDH 1, and T-complex protein 1 subunit beta were down-regulated, respectively. Importantly, some of the identified proteins (e.g. dynamin 1) are known to be involved in cognitive impairment. Western blot analysis of hippocampus dynamin 1 expression confirmed the proteomic findings.Conclusions: The consumption of BB modulates the expression of proteins that are linked to the improvements of cognitive dysfunction in hippocampus of APP/PS1 transgenic mice.

The Effects of Blueberry Supplementation on Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage

The Effects of Blueberry Supplementation on Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage

Effects of wild blueberry supplementation on cognition and reading ability in 7-10 year olds

Effects of wild blueberry supplementation on cognition and reading ability in 7-10 year olds

Blueberry Supplementation Influences the Gut Microbiota, Inflammation, and Insulin Resistance in High-Fat-Diet–Fed Rats

BackgroundGut microbiota dysbiosis has been linked to obesity-associated chronic inflammation. Microbiota manipulation may therefore affect obesity-related comorbidities. Blueberries are rich in anthocyanins, which have anti-inflammatory properties and may alter the gut microbiota. ObjectiveWe hypothesized that blueberry supplementation would alter the gut microbiota, reduce systemic inflammation, and improve insulin resistance in high-fat (HF)-diet–fed rats. MethodsTwenty-four male Wistar rats (260–270 g; n = 8/group) were fed low-fat (LF; 10% fat), HF (45% fat), or HF with 10% by weight blueberry powder (HF_BB) diets for 8 wk. LF rats were fed ad libitum, whereas HF and HF_BB rats were pair-fed with diets matched for fiber and sugar contents. Glucose tolerance, microbiota composition (16S ribosomal RNA sequencing), intestinal integrity [villus height, gene expression of mucin 2 (Muc2) and β-defensin 2 (Defb2)], and inflammation (gene expression of proinflammatory cytokines) were assessed. ResultsBlueberry altered microbiota composition with an increase in Gammaproteobacteria abundance (P < 0.001) compared with LF and HF rats. HF feeding led to an ∼15% decrease in ileal villus height compared with LF rats (P < 0.05), which was restored by blueberry supplementation. Ileal gene expression of Muc2 was ∼150% higher in HF_BB rats compared with HF rats (P < 0.05), with expression in the LF group not being different from that in either the HF or HF_BB groups. Tumor necrosis factor α (Tnfa) and interleukin 1β (Il1b) gene expression in visceral fat was increased by HF feeding when compared with the LF group (by 300% and 500%, respectively; P < 0.05) and normalized by blueberry supplementation. Finally, blueberry improved markers of insulin sensitivity. Hepatic insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS1) phosphorylation at serine 307:IRS1 ratio was ∼35% higher in HF rats compared with LF rats (P < 0.05) and HF_BB rats. ConclusionsIn HF-diet–fed male rats, blueberry supplementation led to compositional changes in the gut microbiota associated with improvements in systemic inflammation and insulin signaling.

Blueberry supplementation attenuates microglia activation and increases neuroplasticity in mice consuming a high-fat diet

Objectives: Consuming a high-fat diet (HFD) may result in behavioral deficits similar to those observed in aging animals. Blueberries may prevent and even reverse age-related alterations in neurochemistry and behavior. It was previously demonstrated that middle-aged mice fed HFD had impaired memory; however, supplementation of HFD with blueberry reduced these memory deficits. As a follow-up to that study, the brain tissue from HFD-fed mice with and without blueberry supplementation was assessed to determine the neuroprotective mechanism(s) by which blueberry allayed cognitive dysfunction associated with HFD.Methods: Mice were fed HFDs (60% calories from fat) or low-fat diets (LFD) with and without 4% blueberry (freeze-dried, U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council). Microglia activation was assessed ex vivo and in vitro. The hippocampus was assessed for brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and neurogenesis by measuring doublecortin (DCX).Results: There was significantly less microglia ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule 1 staining and fewer microglia in the brains of mice fed HFD + blueberry compared to mice fed LFD and HFD. BV-2 microglial cells treated with serum collected from the mice fed the diets supplemented with blueberry produced less nitric oxide compared to cells treated with serum from mice fed HFD. BDNF levels were higher and the number of DCX-positive cells was greater in the hippocampus of mice fed HFD + blueberry compared to mice fed HFD.Discussion: This study demonstrated that supplementation of a HFD with blueberry reduced indices of microglia activation and increased neuroplasticity, and these changes may underlie the protection against memory deficits in HFD-fed mice supplemented with blueberry.

O44 Nutritional protection against obesity

Obesity is a pressing public health problem caused by an interaction of several factors including genetic susceptibility and lifestyle changes (e.g. consumption of energy-dense, high fat/sugar foods and, possibly, increases in sedentary behaviour). Public health messages have had limited success in combating obesity. Energy dense foods often have high palatability which makes them attractive to consumers. Food additives which improve the metabolic health profile of these foods without changing their sensory qualities would provide an alternative public health intervention to combat obesity. We have investigated the effects of blueberry (BB) extract supplementation as an anti-obesogenic intervention. The supplementation completely prevented the effects of a high fat diet in a C57BL/6 mouse obesity model. Many physiological parameters including body weight, body composition, organ weight, serum lipids, adipose tissue inflammation, food intake, and glucose tolerance were all normalised by the supplementation. Liver lipid metabolism was significantly changed in response to BB supplementation leading to a significant reduction in liver MUFA storage. BB supplementation resulted in a significant increase in energy excretion. In addition, energy balance calculations suggest that energy expenditure is also significantly increased in response to BB supplementation. The results suggest that BB extracts can mitigate against the obesogenic effects of a high fat diet by reducing energy uptake and increasing energy expenditure. We are currently identifying the phytochemicals involved in the anti-obesogenic effect.

Interactive effects of blueberry supplementation and GPR109A deletion on gut microbiome profiles in mice

Blueberry‐supplemented (BB) diets in rodent models have shown to improve skeletal mass, glucose tolerance and endothelial function. In addition to the bioactive and dietary fibre components of these diets, effects of blueberries may be in part via modulation and action of the gut microbiome. However, few studies have characterized gut microbiome composition following BB supplementation. Since phenolic acids and gut microbiota‐derived short‐chain fatty acids (SCFAs) such as butyrate can bind and activate GPR109A (nicotinic acid receptor) signaling, we examined the interactive roles of GPR109A and BB‐supplementation on microbiome profiles in mice. Male GPR109A global knockouts and WT littermates were fed control or BB‐supplemented diets (5% w/w) for 4 weeks (n=10). All diets were based on the AIN‐93G formulation and contained 19% calories from protein, 17% from fat and 64% from carbohydrates. Body weight, body composition (non‐invasively via Echo MRI) and food intake were measured weekly and did not differ between groups within the study period. At the end of 4 wk serum, liver, adipose tissue depots and cecal contents were collected for further analysis. Microbial community profiling was conducted by sequencing the 16S rRNA (V4 region) followed by analysis using QIIME. BB‐diet fed mice showed greater a‐diversity (OTU richness) in both WT and GPR109A‐KO. Interestingly, GPR109A loss per se was associated with significantly lower a‐diversity relative to WT mice (p&lt;0.05). Principal coordinate analysis of b‐diversity values showed highly significant effects of both genotype and diet (p&lt;0.00001). BB diets affected abundance of 15 genera in WT mice, of which only 5 genera were also affected in GRP109A KO with BB‐treatment (p&lt;0.05, two‐way ANOVA). However, BB diets in GPR109A KO altered 7 genera uniquely suggesting significant genotype‐diet interactions. Two‐way ANOVA analysis showed BB‐diets increased Bacteroidetes and decreased Firmicutes phyla (p&lt;0.001) in both WT and KO mice. OTU abundance of genera including Facklamia, Clostridium, Coprococcus, Dorea, and Ruminoccous was affected by both diet and genotype of mice (p&lt;0.01). LEfSE analysis confirmed enrichment of phyla Bacteroidetes with BB‐diets. Predictive functional metagenomics analysis using PiCRUST identified alterations of pathways involving immune and bacterial response, protein digestion, amino acid metabolism and xenobiotics biodegradation to be affected by genotype and BB‐diet. Associations between alterations in microbial abundance and diet‐associated changes in adipose tissue and liver gene expression will also be presented. Overall, these results suggest changes in microbial community structure with BB‐diets and also reveal novel host genotype dependent alterations in the microbiome. Support USDA CRIS 6206‐51000‐010‐05SSupport or Funding InformationSupport USDA CRIS 6206‐51000‐010‐05S