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A blueberry-enriched diet
may provide protection against neurodegenerative diseases Summer 2009, Vol 5, Issue 16 
Investigators in this featured study contribute findings to the
growing body of research on the capacity of fruit and vegetable
consumption to reduce the risk of numerous age-related chronic diseases.
Specifically, their research focuses on the possible role fruit and
vegetable consumption may have on the reduction of chronic diseases
due to neurodegeneration. While epidemiological evidence is available
suggesting antioxidant supplementation may protect against several
neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, less is
known about specific dietary agents and their mechanisms of
neuroprotection. Duffy et al note several studies suggesting
increased amounts of polyphenolic rich dietary compounds may
account for the reported neuroprotection reported in the literature.
Blueberries (BB), which are high in polyphenolic flavonoids, have been
observed to reduce neuronal damage in rodents with brain trauma as well as
improve performance in mice with Alzheimer-like impairments.In their rodent study, Duffy et al, tested a hypothesis that "dietary pretreatment with BB would protect against neurotoxicity caused by central injections of kainic acid (KA) in rats and that plasma collected from BB-fed rats would protect cells from H2O2 mediated stress." Their approach refers to another hypothesis for Alzheimer's disease, the "excitotoxicity hypothesis," that excessive stimulation of glutamate receptors may result in neurodegeneration by oxidative stress. This featured study involved two very similar experiments in which rats were each given a diet supplemented with 2% BB extract for a minimum of eight weeks before surgery and behavioral testing. The control diet included was 2% dried corn (CN). After eight weeks, rats began to receive bilateral hippocampal injections of KA, or a control of saline. A week later, behavioral testing commenced utilizing a 14-unit T-maze. The collective results of rodent performance in the maze clearly indicate that BB group rats subjected to KA had significantly enhanced performance when compared to the CN group who also underwent KA injection surgery. Moreover, following stereological analysis it was determined that as compared to the CN group, the BB-enriched diet reduced neuronal loss consequent to excitotoxic effects of KA. Finally, the in vitro analysis confirmed that the BB diet protected against oxidative damage, as FaO cells reared in serum from BB rats were better protected against H202 induced death than FaO cells in control serum. While the authors of this study note the mechanisms accounting for the above results remain to be determined, they also assert that these findings "suggest that a diet enriched in BB might attenuate degenerative processes due to oxidative or inflammatory stressors similar to effectiveness of pharmacological strategies related to this hypothesis of AD." Study: Duffy, K.B., et al, Neurobiology of Aging, 29: 1680- 1689 (2008) UH Issue: Summer 2009, Vol 5, Number 16 For Clinicians: Related Innate Response Formulas Wild Blueberry: Rich in Protective Antioxidant Compounds Wild blueberries are by far one of the most superior sources of protective phenolic compounds and beneficial constituents. Blueberries are rich in anthocyanin pigments, flavonoid compounds and chlorogenic acid, all of which have patent antioxidant properties in the body. Click here to learn more. Vision Response: Rich in Protective Components for Vascular Health The three essential carotenoids for optimal vision are lutein, meso-zeaxanthin and zeaxanthin. OPCs, anthocyanins, polyphenols and other flavonoids found in bilberry, blueberry and grape are also included to support vascular health. Click here to learn more. Return from blueberries neurodegenerative diseases review |
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