Bioavailable Blueberry‐Derived Phenolic Acids at Physiological Concentrations Enhance Nrf2‐Regulated Antioxidant Responses in Human Vascular Endothelial Cells

Abstract

Physiologically relevant concentrations of blueberry-derived aglycone phenolic acids can induce Nrf2-regulated antioxidant response proteins in vascular endothelial cells in response to low μm concentrations of H O . Our results represent an advance over previous studies that have used single compounds or high concentrations in cell-based investigations.

Physiological Concentrations of Blueberry‐Derived Phenolic Acids Reduce Monocyte Adhesion to Human Endothelial Cells

“…The remaining 21 compounds (Figure S2, Supporting Information) were either not detected, did not increase relative to baseline, or were detected at extremely low levels, below our LC‐MS/MS assay's lower limit of quantitation. Therefore, we used the 12 phenolic acid metabolites, along with their 0–24 h plasma concentration‐time profiles to represent the bioavailable polyphenol metabolites present in the circulation following ingestion of blueberries and to inform the design of the three test mixtures ( Table ) investigated in the present study.…”

“…In contrast, their metabolites, mainly the phenolic acids, can be detected in plasma at higher concentrations relative to the parent polyphenols. These findings suggest that phenolic acid metabolites play an important part in conferring the vascular benefits of blueberry polyphenols …”

“…Plasma samples from three healthy individuals were probed over a 24 h period following a single serving of blueberry juice (5mL kg −1 bw) for the occurrence of 33 phenolic compounds (anthocyanins, flavan‐3‐ol monomers, flavonols, phenolic acids, and other aromatic compounds). Compounds were detected with an LC‐MS/MS method operating in the multiple reaction monitoring mode as previously described and in Table S1, Supporting Information. Ethics approval for this study was from New Zealand Health and Disability Ethics Committees, ref: 15/NTA/46.…”

“…In these animal studies, the anti‐inflammatory effects were tentatively attributed to the presence of blueberry polyphenols such as anthocyanins and/or proanthocyanidins . However, recent human studies have consistently shown that blueberry polyphenols, including anthocyanins, flavan‐3‐ols, proanthocyanidins and flavonols, have limited bioavailability . In contrast, their metabolites, mainly the phenolic acids, can be detected in plasma at higher concentrations relative to the parent polyphenols.…”

Daily Consumption of an Anthocyanin-Rich Extract Made From New Zealand Blackcurrants for 5 Weeks Supports Exercise Recovery Through the Management of Oxidative Stress and Inflammation: A Randomized Placebo Controlled Pilot Study

“…Human epidemiological studies (6) reveal that daily consumption of foods rich in anthocyanins supports the maintenance of cellular antioxidant capacity and alleviates oxidative stress in a number of chronic diseases (11)(12)(13). Several feeding studies report an increase in plasma antioxidant capacity after the consumption of berryfruit rich in anthocyanins, e.g., blackcurrants (14,15), strawberries (16), blueberries (17), and blackberries (18). Similarly, nutritional intervention studies by others (19)(20)(21) reveal that the consumption of blackcurrant anthocyanins exhibit cardiac and eye health as well as alleviating oxidative stress in both physiological and disease scenarios.…”