E.M. Seymour

Regular Tart Cherry Intake Alters Abdominal Adiposity, Adipose Gene Transcription, and Inflammation in Obesity-Prone Rats Fed a High Fat Diet

Obesity, systemic inflammation, and hyperlipidemia are among the components of metabolic syndrome, a spectrum of phenotypes that can precede the development of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Animal studies show that intake of anthocyanin-rich extracts can affect these phenotypes. Anthocyanins can alter the activity of tissue peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs), which affect energy substrate metabolism and inflammation. However, it is unknown if physiologically relevant, anthocyanin-containing whole foods confer similar effects to concentrated, anthocyanin extracts. The effect of anthocyanin-rich tart cherries was tested in the Zucker fatty rat model of obesity and metabolic syndrome. For 90 days, rats were pair-fed a higher fat diet supplemented with either 1% (wt/wt) freeze-dried, whole tart cherry powder or with a calorie- and macronutrient-matched control diet. Tart cherry intake was associated with reduced hyperlipidemia, percentage fat mass, abdominal fat (retroperitoneal) weight, retroperitoneal interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) expression, and plasma IL-6 and TNF-alpha. Tart cherry diet also increased retroperitoneal fat PPAR-alpha and PPAR-gamma mRNA (P = .12), decreased IL-6 and TNF-alpha mRNA, and decreased nuclear factor kappaB activity. In conclusion, in at-risk obese rats fed a high fat diet, physiologically relevant tart cherry consumption reduced several phenotypes of metabolic syndrome and reduced both systemic and local inflammation. Tart cherries may reduce the degree or trajectory of metabolic syndrome, thereby reducing risk for the development of type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

HL-1 myocytes exhibit PKC and KATP channel-dependent delta opioid preconditioning

BACKGROUND Opioid preconditioning protects the myocardium against ischemia/reperfusion (IR) injury. By enhancing cardiomyocyte viability, opioids can enhance cardiac function and recovery from IR injury during acute cardiac care. The myocyte model HL-1 is an immortalized, mouse atrial cell line that expresses functional delta-opioid receptors. The HL-1 myocyte may be useful for IR injury research exploring opioid cardioprotection. MATERIALS AND METHODS In study I, microplates of HL-1 were subjected to 10 min pre-treatment with either basal media, delta-opioid agonist DADLE(10uM), or DADLE(10uM) + delta-antagonist naltrindole (10uM). Study II treatment groups included PKC inhibitor chelerythrine (2uM), K(ATP) channel closer glybenclamide (100uM), or mitochondrial K(ATP) channel opener diazoxide (100uM) administered in various combinations followed by DADLE (10uM) or control. Microplates were subjected to normal oxygen/substrate conditions or ischemic (<1% 0(2)) and substrate deficient (10 uM 2-Deoxyglucose versus 10 mM glucose) conditions, then reperfused with normal oxygen and glucose-containing media. Microplate supernatants were subjected to lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assay. RESULTS Compared to untreated control, the LDH assay showed significant reduction in opioid-only pretreated groups at all time points. These effects were attenuated with delta-opioid antagonist co-administration. Co-administration of non-selective K(ATP) channel closer glybenclamide and DADLE abolished DADLE cytoprotection, while selective mitochondrial K(ATP) opener diazoxide mimicked DADLE cytoprotection Co-administration of chelerythrine and DADLE significantly reduced chelerythrine cytotoxicity. CONCLUSION Delta-opioid preconditioning of HL-1 myocytes significantly decreased necrosis from in vitro simulated ischemia/reperfusion as measured by LDH release; this effect was reversed by delta-antagonist naltrindole. Cytoprotection was PKC and K(ATP) channel-dependent. HL-1 myocytes exhibit opioid-induced cytoprotection from IR injury, and present a novel model of pharmacologic preconditioning.

Effects of mood state and psychosocial functioning on plasma Interleukin-6 in adult patients before cardiac surgery.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the potential effect of mood states and psychosocial functioning during the waiting weeks prior to major cardiac surgery on the plasma Interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels in 236 patients immediately before their operation. Method: The sample was recruited from patients at the cardiac clinic of the University of Michigan Medical Center (Ann Arbor). Two weeks before cardiac surgery, trained research assistants conducted a face-to-face interview with these middle-aged and older patients on their preoperative physical examination date at the clinic. Standardized instruments were used to assess mood states and psychosocial functioning. The blood samples of 236 patients, obtained on the morning of the operation, were analyzed for plasma IL-6. Results: In bivariate analysis, poor psychological functioning and anxiety, as well as bodily pain and body mass index (BMI), were correlated with plasma IL-6 (p < .05), but sociodemographics, chronic illness and use of psychotropic medications were not. When the effect of bodily pain and BMI were taken into account, partial correlation analysis showed that psychological functioning continued to be associated with plasma IL-6 (p < .05); the association of IL-6 with depression now became significant (p < .05), whereas that with anxiety became even more significant (p < .001). Conclusions: Preoperative psychological disturbances during the waiting weeks before cardiac surgery may influence the plasma levels of IL-6 immediately prior to the procedure. The clinical implications of these findings remain to be determined.

Tart Cherry Fruits: Implications for Human Health

Tart cherry fruits produce several types of biologically active compounds, including anthocyanins and several other flavonoids. These phytochemicals have been extensively studied for their potential health effects. Therefore, our overall objective is to advance knowledge of the value of tart cherries for their prospective health benefits, including several types of chronic diseases. This chapter describes the progress of bioactive metabolite studies currently underway on tart cherry. Specifically, this chapter focuses on the production and regulation of synthesis of major secondary metabolites in tart cherry fruits and on modes of action of its major phytopharmaceutical compounds at target sites.

Grape Polyphenols in Heart Health Promotion

Epidemiological studies show an inverse correlation between moderate wine consumption and heart disease incidence. Grape wine contains many phytochemicals from grape pomace and seeds. Animal studies suggest beneficial health effects of grape products including antioxidant protection of biomolecules, reduced platelet aggregation, reduced inflammation, and improved vascular reactivity. Recent animal studies also show reduced cardiac pathology with grape product consumption. Data from short-term human trials are limited to altered surrogate markers of cardiac risk. This review summarizes the chemistry and metabolism of grape phytochemicals and the relevant human studies with grape products. Finally, the chapter concludes with suggestions for future research.

Chapter 36 – Tart Cherry Fruits: Implications for Human Health

Tart cherry fruits produce several types of biologically active compounds, including anthocyanins and several other flavonoids. These phytochemicals have been extensively studied for their potential health effects. Therefore, our overall objective is to advance knowledge of the value of tart cherries for their prospective health benefits, including several types of chronic diseases. This chapter describes the progress of bioactive metabolite studies currently underway on tart cherry. Specifically, this chapter focuses on the production and regulation of synthesis of major secondary metabolites in tart cherry fruits and on modes of action of its major phytopharmaceutical compounds at target sites.