Anthocyanin-rich Blackcurrant and Vascular Function

University of Reading23 enrolled

Overview

Regular consumption of fruits and vegetables may improve human health and reduce the risk of chronic diseases, such as heart disease, certain cancers and type 2 diabetes, but the active components and the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. Berry fruits are abundant in anthocyanins and this study aims to test the hypothesis that ingestion of an anthocyanin-rich blackcurrant beverage will improve markers of cardiovascular health (health of blood vessels, inflammation and platelet function). Further, the study will investigate the anthocyanin bioavailability from the blackcurrant beverage.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Masking

TRIPLE

Enrollment

Conditions

Vascular Stiffness Inflammation

Interventions

Beverage: Spray dried blackcurrant powder dissolved in waterOTHER

Beverage: Placebo (sucrose, glucose, fructose, maltodextrin, malic acid, citric acid, vitamin C, artificial blackcurrant flavouring and low-nitrate water)OTHER

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 30 YearsMax age: 55 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Aged 30-55 years * Non-smoker * BMI between 20 - 30 kg/m2 * Generally healthy as established by a 'health and lifestyle' questionnaire and a screening blood sample * Blood pressure \< 140/90mmHg * Total cholesterol \< 6.2 mmol/L * Fasting glucose \< 7.0 mmol/L Exclusion Criteria: * Diabetes mellitus * Heart problems, stroke, vascular disease * Inflammatory disease * Kidney, liver, pancreas or gastrointestinal diseases * Medication for hyperlipidaemia, hypertension, hypercoagulation, inflammatory conditions * Asthma * Allergies * Smokers (social smokers who agree to abstain for 1 month before and during the study not excluded) * Taking phytochemical, antioxidant or fish oil supplements (unless willing to stop for the study period) * Taking aspirin \> 2 times per month and unwilling to abstain from aspirin ingestion for 14 days prior each study visit * History of alcohol misuse * Consumption of alcohol \>21 units (men) or \>15 units (women) * Vegans * Intense aerobic exercise \>20 min 3 x per week * Participation in another clinical trial * Antibiotics in previous 3 months before study * Low haemoglobin levels * Females who are pregnant, lactating, or if of reproductive age and not using a reliable form of contraception (including abstinence)

Locations (1)

University of Reading

Reading, United Kingdom

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Change from baseline in vascular reactivity measured by flow-mediated dilatation (FMD)

Time frame: Acute study: measured at baseline and 1, 2, 4 and 6 h post intervention

Change from baseline in platelet function measured by agonist-induced platelet aggregation

Time frame: Acute study: measured at baseline and 2 and 4 h post intervention

Secondary Outcomes

Change from baseline in the concentration of polyphenols and their metabolites and degradants in blood and urine samples measured by HPLC-MS/MS

Time frame: Acute study: plasma measured at baseline and 1, 2, 4, 6 and 24 h post intervention, urine measured at baseline and 1, 2, 4, 6 and 6-24 h post intervention

Change from baseline in vascular function measured by digital volume pulse (DVP)

Time frame: Acute study: measured at baseline and 2, 4 and 6 h post intervention

Change from baseline in blood pressure

Time frame: Acute study: measured at baseline and 1, 2, 4 and 6 h post intervention

Change from baseline in the concentration of nitric oxide in plasma measured by ozone-based chemiluminescence

Time frame: Acute study: measured at baseline and 1, 2, 4 and 6 h post intervention

Change from baseline in the concentration of selected cytokines (TNF-a, IL-1b, IL-6, IL-8 and IL-10) in plasma measured using a cytometric bead array kit from BD Biosciences

Time frame: Acute study: measured at baseline and 1, 2, 4 and 6 h post intervention

Change from baseline in platelet function (numbers of circulating micro particles by nano particle tracking analysis)

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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