Journal of Berry Research - Volume 11, issue 2

Authors: Mu, Teng | Guan, Yang | Chen, Tianqiao | Wang, Shuning | Li, Mei | Chang, Alan K | Yang, Zhe | Bi, Xiuli

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Increasing evidence has established neuroinflammation as the hallmark of neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However, despite the underlying immunological mechanisms are far from being understood, the involvement of excessive activation of microglia is attracting more and more attention. OBJECTIVE: In the present study, we investigated the protective effect of black raspberry (BRB) anthocyanins on LPS-induced neuroinflammation in BV2 microglia. METHODS: LPS-induced mouse BV2 microglia were treated with black raspberry anthocyanins and the levels of NO, ROS, IL-1β and IL-18 produced by the cells were measured to determine the extent of oxidative stress and …inflammatory response. RESULTS: The results showed that BRB anthocyanins reduced the production of ROS in LPS-induced BV2 microglia by down-regulating the level of NOX2 and its downstream factors, including thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP) and NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome. Furthermore, BRB anthocyanins inhibited the secretion of Interleukin-18 (IL-18) and Interleukin-1β (IL-1β), eventually attenuating the LPS-induced inflammatory response of BV2 microglia. CONCLUSIONS: BRB anthocyanins might play an important neuroprotective role in inflammation-related neurodegenerative disease, potentially, by down-regulating the NOX2 /TXNIP/ NLRP3 signaling axis in brain microglia. Show more

Keywords: BRB anthocyanins, LPS-induced BV2 microglia, NOX2, TXNIP, NLRP3

DOI: 10.3233/JBR-200692

Citation: Journal of Berry Research, vol. 11, no. 2, pp. 333-347, 2021

Authors: Song, Haizhao | Shen, Xinchun | Chu, Qiang | Zheng, Xiaodong

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Red raspberry (Rubus idaeus L. ), a natural dietary source of (poly)phenols, has been used as medicine for centuries. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of a red raspberry (poly)phenolic extract (RPE) on diet-induced obesity, hepatic steatosis and insulin resistance, and elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms. METHODS: Male specific pathogen-free C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into three groups (n  = 12 per group), and fed with low-fat diet (10% fat energy), high-fat diet (HFD, 45% fat energy), or HFD supplemented with RPE of 150 mg/kg body weight by intragastric administration for 14 …weeks. Obesity-related biochemical indexes and hepatic gene expression levels were determined. The statistical analyses were conducted using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Duncan’s multiple range test. RESULTS: The body weight gain, steatosis grade scores and insulin resistance index in the RPE group decreased by 34.48% (P  = 0.00), 58.82% (P  = 0.00), and 53.77% (P  = 0.00), respectively, compared to those in the HFD group. Moreover, RPE supplement significantly changed the expression profile of the genes involved in lipid metabolism and fibroblast growth factor 21 signaling pathway. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that RPE protected from diet-induced obesity and related metabolic disorders by improving the lipid metabolism and fibroblast growth factor 21 resistance. Show more

Keywords: Red raspberry, obesity, hepatic steatosis, insulin resistance, fibroblast growth factor 21

DOI: 10.3233/JBR-200696

Citation: Journal of Berry Research, vol. 11, no. 2, pp. 349-362, 2021