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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Boston, Massachusetts » Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center On Aging » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #218826
Title: Anthocyanin Bioavailability from Acute Cranberry Juice Consumption and Evidence of Effects on Endothelial Function in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease

Author
item Milbury, Paul
item Blumberg, Jeffrey
item FINNERTY, KATHRYN - BOSTON UNIV MED CTR
item HOLBROOK, MONIKA - BOSTON UNIV MED CTR
item PALMISANO, JOSEPH - BOSTON UNIV MED CTR
item HAMBURG, NAOMI - BOSTON UNIV MED CTR
item VITA, JOSEPH - BOSTON UNIV MED CTR

Submitted to: Experimental Biology
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/1/2007
Publication Date: 4/1/2008
Citation: Milbury, P., Blumberg, J., Finnerty, K.A., Holbrook, M., Palmisano, J., Hamburg, N.M., Vita, J.A. 2008. Anthocyanin Bioavailability from Acute Cranberry Juice Consumption and Evidence of Effects on Endothelial Function in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease. FASEB Journal. 22:460.5.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Epidemiologic studies suggest an inverse correlation between intake of flavonoidcontaining foods and cardiovascular risk. Multiple health beneficial effect of flavonoids have been proposed to account for this observation, including effects on endothelial function. Cranberries contain relatively high levels of anthocyanins flavonoids and cranberry anthocyanins have been shown to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. To test the hypothesis that cranberry anthocyanins are bioavailable and have effects on endothelial function in humans, 15 patients with proven coronary artery disease (mean age 62+/-8 years,13 % female) were administered a single 480 ml drink of double strength cranberry juice (835 mg total polyphenols). Blood samples were collected at baseline (0 h) and over the next 4 h. Urine was collected at baseline and 4 h. Levels of 10 anthocyanins were monitored and 7 were quantified using available standards. Differences were observed in individual pharmacokinetics. Depending on the individual highest plasma levels of anthocyanins were observed either at one or two hours after juice consumption. The highest plasma level of one individual was observed at 3h. Endothelium-dependent flow-mediated dilation was measured in the conduit brachial artery by ultrasound and in small arteries in the fingertip by pulse amplitude tonometry (PAT). Vascular function was assessed at baseline and at two and four hours after patients consumed cranberry juice. Increased flow-mediated dilation was observed in the brachial artery (7.7% +/- 2.9 baseline vs. 8.7 +/- 3.1 at 4h, p= 0.01) and Log PAT ratio (0.10 +/- 0.12 baseline vs. 0.22 +/- 0.14 (2h) and 0.23 +/- 0.16 (4h), p= 0.001). Hyperemic flow and arterial diameter remained unchanged. Thus, cranberry anthocyanins are bioavailable following juice consumption and acute administration of cranberry juice reverses endothelial dysfunction in patients with coronary artery disease.