Bilberry Supplementation after Myocardial Infarction Decreases Microvesicles in Blood and Affects Endothelial Vesiculation

Abstract

Scope: Diet rich in bilberries is considered cardioprotective, but the mechanisms of action are poorly understood. Cardiovascular disease is characterized by increased proatherogenic status and high levels of circulating microvesicles (MVs). In an open-label study patients with myocardial infarction receive an 8 week dietary supplementation with bilberry extract (BE). The effect of BE on patient MV levels and its influence on endothelial vesiculation in vitro is investigated. Methods and results: MVs are captured with acoustic trapping and platelet-derived MVs (PMVs), as well as endothelial-derived MVs (EMVs) are quantified with flow cytometry. The in vitro effect of BE on endothelial extracellular vesicle (EV) release is examined using endothelial cells and calcein staining. The mechanisms of BE influence on vesiculation pathways are studied by Western blot and qRT-PCR. Supplementation with BE decreased both PMVs and EMVs. Furthermore, BE reduced endothelial EV release, Akt phosphorylation, and vesiculation-related gene transcription. It also protects the cells from P2X 7-induced EV release and increase in vesiculation-related gene expression. Conclusion: BE supplementation improves the MV profile in patient blood and reduces endothelial vesiculation through several molecular mechanisms related to the P2X 7 receptor. The findings provide new insight into the cardioprotective effects of bilberries.

Functional Foods and Their Implications for Health Promotion

“…Furthermore, a study based on the United States Cancer Center Support Grant found that higher lignan consumption was inversely correlated with the risk of breast cancer among pre-and menopausal women (McCann et al, 2011). The results were supported by other meta-analysis studies that demonstrated that high levels of plant lignan consumption was strongly correlated with a reduction in postmenopausal breast cancer risk (Buck et al, 2010;Velentzis et al, 2009). Dietary lignans have also been implicated in the reduction of CVD risks in postmenopausal women (Sammartino et al, 2006).…”

Vaccinium uliginosum and Vaccinium myrtillus—Two Species—One Used as a Functional Food

“…The findings showed that BE supplementation positively affected the MV profile in participants' blood and decreased extracellular vesicle release via a P2X7 receptor-dependent mechanism. The cardioprotective effect of blueberries has been proven [109]. The antioxidant properties of V. myrtillus may partly explain its ability to protect rats from doxorubicin (DOX)-induced cardiotoxicity.…”

Bilberries: Curative and Miraculous – A Review on Bioactive Constituents and Clinical Research

“…The bilberry group patients were also more successful in a 6 min walking test ( Arevström et al, 2019 ) The same group of patients was also evaluated for the presence of circulating microvesicles which are a marker of cardiovascular disease. It was found that bilberry extract improved the blood profile and reduced endothelial vesiculation ( Bryl-Górecka et al, 2020 ). Another clinical study showed that consumption of 150 g of frozen bilberries 3 times a week for 6 weeks led to a significant decrease in total cholesterol, LDL and triglycerides, and a favorable increase in HDL ( Habanova et al, 2016 ).…”