The Effects of Antioxidants in Blueberry Powder on Inflammation Induced by a Single High Fat Meal.
Condition: Inflammation
MeSH terms: Inflammation
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      The goal of the study is to find out whether a high fat meal increases blood lipids and
      causes monocyte (white blood cell) activation, and whether blueberry intake at the same meal
      lessens monocyte activation in healthy people.
    

Detailed description: 
      This study was designed as a single blind, placebo-controlled crossover study. Subjects were
      never told what dose of blueberry powder was given. Researchers handling samples and data did
      not know what dose of blueberry powder subjects received on test day 2 or 3. The frozen
      blueberry yogurt supplemented with either control or blueberry powder was coded by letter,
      and samples were coded by test day: since the control powder was given on the first day to
      all subjects, the laboratory staff analyzing the samples would have known that the first day
      samples were from the subjects receiving the control powder.The provision of the control
      powder on the first day to all subjects was done to mitigate potential carry over effects of
      the blueberry powder.The randomization plan for the two doses (two vs four servings) of
      blueberry powder was uploaded into a spreadsheet of which only the registered dietitian, the
      Human Studies Manager, and the Metabolic Kitchen and Human Feeding Laboratory staff had
      access. Subjects were instructed by a registered dietitian to follow a low polyphenol and
      omega-3 diet and limit consumption of fruits, vegetables, soy, fatty fish (e.g. salmon),
      whole grains, nuts, coffee, tea, and chocolate starting 3 days prior to each test day. The
      night before each test day, subjects were required to eat a standardized dinner provided by
      the WHNRC. Since a previous meal may impact the postprandial response of the next, subjects
      were fed a dinner that consisted of a burrito with tortilla, chicken, cheese, oil, and pinto
      beans as well as yogurt and lemonade. On each test day, subjects arrived at the WHNRC after a
      12-hour overnight fast. Subjects had their body temperature, blood pressure, and weight
      measured, and then had blood withdrawn. Subjects were fed the MHF breakfast supplemented with
      a frozen yogurt containing either control or blueberry powder. Subjects were given 20 minutes
      to consume the entire breakfast. Subjects were instructed not to eat or drink anything other
      than plain water. Three and one-half hours following consumption of the test meal each
      subject returned to the WHNRC for a postprandial blood draw. Postprandial
      hypertriglyceridemia peaks on average 3.5 hours after the consumption of a high fat
      breakfast, thus the 3.5 hour blood draw provides the highest concentration of TGRL. Subjects
      were allowed to return to their normal activities after the morning meal before the
      postprandial blood draw. Following the postprandial blood draw, subjects were allowed to
      return to their normal dietary habits until three days prior to their next test day. Subjects
      were fed the control powder on their first test day. On the second and third test days
      subjects were fed varying amounts of the blueberry powder that were equivalent to two or four
      servings of fresh blueberries (24.1 g and 48.2 g of blueberry powder, respectively) in a
      random order.
    

Intervention name(s): Breakfast meal with placebo powder; Breakfast meal with 2 serving equivalents of blueberries; Breakfast meal with 4 serving equivalents of blueberries
Intervention type(s): Other; Other; Other
Intervention description(s): Zero serving equivalents (1 serving equivalent = ½ cup fresh raw blueberries) of blueberries in the form of a mixed side dish comprising frozen yogurt, sugar, and placebo powder.; Two serving equivalents (1 serving equivalent = ½ cup fresh raw blueberries) of blueberries in the form of a mixed side dish comprising frozen yogurt, sugar, and freeze-dried blueberry powder.; Four serving equivalents (1 serving equivalent = ½ cup fresh raw blueberries) of blueberries in the form of a mixed side dish comprising frozen yogurt, sugar, and freeze-dried blueberry powder.
Intervention model: Single Group Assignment
Masking: Single (Participant)
Primary purpose: Basic Science
Keywords: Toll like receptors; Inflammation; Anthocyanins; Blueberries