Chokeberry Juice Containing Polyphenols Does Not Affect Cholesterol or Blood Pressure but Modifies the Composition of Plasma Phospholipids Fatty Acids in Individuals at Cardiovascular Risk

Chokeberry polyphenols have been suggested to reduce cholesterol and blood pressure and thus protect against cardiovascular diseases (CVD), but the evidence in humans is limited and inconsistent. This randomized double-blinded three-parallel groups trial investigated the changes in various anthropometric and clinical biomarkers, and in plasma phospholipids fatty acids (PPFA) in volunteers at cardiovascular risk after a four-week intervention with 100 mL/day of (1) chokeberry juice with a high-dose of polyphenols (1177.11 mg gallic acid equivalents, GAE); (2) chokeberry juice with a low-dose of polyphenols (294.28 mg GAE) and; (3) a nutritionally matched polyphenol-free placebo drink. Our results indicate that the intake of chokeberry juice containing either the low or the high dose of polyphenols cannot be linked with a reduction in total- and low-density lipoprotein (LDL)cholesterol or in systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure in comparison with the consumption of the placebo drink. However, we found evidence of moderate changes in the PPFA, i.e., increased saturated fatty acids (SFA), mostly palmitic acid, and reduced n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), principally linoleic acid (LA) with the intake of chokeberry against the placebo. These effects may be associated with the polyphenols but we could not differentiate a clear dose-response effect. Further research is still needed to elucidate the contribution of the polyphenolic fraction to the potential cardiovascular effects of the chokeberry and to build up the evidence of its potential benefit via the modulation of PPFA composition

Design, formulation and sensory evaluation of a polyphenol-rich food placebo: an example of aronia juice for food intervention studies

Products suitable for use as controls in food interventions designed to demonstrate the role of minor components are largely lacking. In the present study, we aimed to develop a formulation to be used as a placebo in a clinical trial designed to assess the effects of aronia juice polyphenols on platelet function. Three formulations with the same nutrient composition as aronia juice were prepared by mixing various nutrients, artificial colours and flavours with water. The similarity of formulations to aronia juice in terms of taste, colour, smell and texture was assessed by six food panellists. The final placebo was tested for its impact on platelet function, biochemical and anthropometric parameters in a 4-week long study. No significant changes in platelet function, or in several cardiovascular and safety markers were recorded. Formulation suitable for use as a placebo for dietary intervention studies using aronia juice has been developed and demonstrated to be well tolerated in humans

Multilocus Sequence Types, Serotypes, and Variants of the Surface Antigen PspA in Streptococcus pneumoniae Isolates from Meningitis Patients in Poland

Meningitis caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae represents an important factor of morbidity and mortality in humans. In a significant number of cases, this disease is associated with specific clones of the organism, the so-called invasive pneumococcal clones. The aim of the study was to analyze 156 S. pneumoniae isolates identified as etiological agents of meningitis in Poland in the years 1997 through 2002. The isolates were characterized by multilocus sequence typing (MLST), and the results were compared with those obtained by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and with the MLST data on invasive pneumococci from other countries. Eighty-nine different sequence types were found in the group of isolates, 50 of which had been known before including 19 of the major invasive clones. However, a significant fraction of the isolates possessed novel combinations of known and new MLST alleles. The majority of penicillin-nonsusceptible isolates belonged to the group of international multiresistant clones (Spain(23F)-1, Spain(6B)-2, Spain(9V)-3, Poland(23F)-16, and Poland(6B)-20), which underlined the importance of these in the dissemination of antimicrobial resistance. The results of the MLST analysis correlated well with the PFGE data, thus again demonstrating good congruence between the two typing methods for S. pneumoniae. The majority of the isolates (95.5%) belonged to families 1 or 2 of the surface protein PspA, confirming its potential usefulness as the vaccine antigen candidate

Polish Academy ofSciences

Influence of chokeberry juice on arterial blood pressure and lipid parameters in men with mild hypercholesterolemi

Effects of Polyphenol-Rich Chokeberry Juice on Antioxidant/Pro-Oxidant Status in Healthy Subjects

Berry fruits are a rich source of polyphenols, especially anthocyanins: well-known potent anti-oxidant phytochemicals. The purpose of this study was to evaluate beneficial effects of long-term consumption of polyphenol-rich organic chokeberry juice on different markers of antioxidant/pro-oxidant status in healthy female volunteers. Twenty-nine women, aged 25-49, were included in the study. Serological markers of oxidative stress and antioxidant defence, blood pressure, routine biochemical, and anthropometric parameters were analyzed at baseline and after twelve weeks of regular chokeberry juice consumption. Significant decrease in thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances level (TBARS; P lt .001) and pro-oxidant-antioxidant balance (PAB; P lt .05), as well as increase in paroxonase-1 activity toward diazoxon (P lt .01) were found. Total oxidative status and sulphydryl groups levels were not significantly influenced by the intervention. Anthropometric, biochemical parameters, and blood pressure values were within the referent values for all subjects and were not influenced by the chokeberry juice consumption. However, we found positive correlation between age, body mass index, waist circumference, body fat percent, blood pressure, and analyzed marker of lipid peroxidation, which was influenced by the consumption. In conclusion, the fine modulation of several antioxidant/pro-oxidant status biomarkers observed in healthy subjects indicates putative prophylactic effects of polyphenol-rich chokeberry juice and supports its importance as part of an optimal diet