None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
Preliminary evidence from human intervention studies support a potential role of berries and their processed products in risks mitigation of inflammatory diseases (Joseph et al., 2014) and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) (Rodriguez-Mateos et al., 2014). Despite these, owing to limited studies that assessed the absorption and metabolism of berry (poly)phenols, at present, it remains unclear whether it is the native (unmetabolized) berry polyphenols, their in vivo metabolic breakdown products, or a combination of the two, that are responsible for attributing the cardiovascular health benefits associated with consumption of berry products. As such, to enable the establishment of potential cause-and-effect relationships, the current literature recommends the need for more research efforts to clarify which specific berry (poly)phenols are directly responsible for the observed in vivo beneficial actions on cardiovascular health. In addition, it is unclear whether consumption of berry species with some subtle differences in (poly)phenol composition would give rise to some common in vivo plasma and/or urinary metabolite profiles. This information is critical as it would help explain whether observed differences in some measurable clinical endpoints of CVDs derived from consumption of different berry species is fundamentally associated to differences in the in vivo (poly)phenol metabolite profiles. Our Hypothesis: Based on information from the current literature, we hypothesize that some (poly)phenolic breakdown products are common in vivo metabolites that are formed postprandially, regardless of subtle differences in berry (poly)phenol composition, and that these (poly)phenolic metabolites (as opposed to the native polyphenols found in berry extracts) are partly responsible for upregulating in vivo mechanisms that lead towards some measurable beneficial cardiovascular health outcomes in humans.
Interventions
Arm 1: Blueberry extract
Arm 2: Boysenberry extract
Special Note: We have reconsidered the use of whole fruit and have excluded this from the current protocol. An extract of the fruit only will be used and this will be administered in 250 mL liquid form.
Intervention details
Dose: 250 mL extract of blueberry or boysenberry
Duration: One-off administration
Lead-in dietary washout phase: Up to 1-week of low polyphenol diet
Mode of administration: Oral
Samples collected: Baseline (overnight-
Arm 1: Blueberry extract Arm 2: Boysenberry extract Special Note: We have reconsidered the use of whole fruit and have excluded this from the current protocol. An extract of the fruit only will be used and this will be administered in 250 mL liquid form. Intervention details Dose: 250 mL extract of blueberry or boysenberry Duration: One-off administration Lead-in dietary washout phase: Up to 1-week of low polyphenol diet Mode of administration: Oral Samples collected: Baseline (overnight-fasted), and postprandial (0.5, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 12, and 24h) blood samples, and, 0-24 h urine samples Analytical technique: High performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) for compliance check and detection, identification, and quantification of selected juice-derived polyphenol metabolites
Sponsors
The University of Auckland
Study design
Allocation
Non-randomised trial
Primary purpose
Treatment
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
Healthy males/females aged 18 or older, non-smokers, non-pregnant, and residing in Auckland for the duration of the study.
Exclusion criteria
Declare themselves unhealthy, drink alcohol excessively, are (or are seeking to become) pregnant, are currently taking recreation/over-the-counter/prescription medication (excluding contraceptive pills and other select pills)/dietary and herbal supplements, have any food allergies or sensitivities, have a history of/current head trauma, ADHD (Attention Deficient Hyperactivity Disorder), dyslexia, migraines or any gastric problems, have a history of eating disorders (anorexia nervosa, bulimia, etc.), suffer from or have a history of clinical hypertension, have a BMI over 39 (morbidly obese), have fainting issues due to venipuncture, do not have good understanding of English
Outcome results
None listed