Chronic and postprandial effect of blueberries on cognitive function, alertness, and mood in participants with metabolic syndrome - results from a six-month, double-blind, randomized controlled trial.

Background: Anthocyanin and blueberry intakes positively associated with cognitive function in population-based studies and cognitive benefits in randomized controlled trials of adults with self-perceived or clinical cognitive dysfunction. To date, adults with metabolic syndrome (MetS) but without cognitive dysfunction are understudied.

Objectives: Cognitive function, mood, alertness, and sleep quality were assessed as secondary end points in MetS participants, postprandially (>24 h) and following 6-mo blueberry intake.

Combined Statin and Glucocorticoid Therapy for the Safer Treatment of Preterm Birth.

Background: Prematurity is strongly associated with poor respiratory function in the neonate. Rescue therapies include treatment with glucocorticoids due to their anti-inflammatory and maturational effects on the developing lung. However, glucocorticoid treatment in the infant can increase the risk of long-term cardiovascular complications including hypertension, cardiac, and endothelial dysfunction.

Blueberry anthocyanin intake attenuates the postprandial cardiometabolic effect of an energy-dense food challenge: Results from a double blind, randomized controlled trial in metabolic syndrome participants.

Background & Aims: Whilst the cardioprotective effects of blueberry intake have been shown in prospective studies and short-term randomized controlled trials (RCTs), it is unknown whether anthocyanin-rich blueberries can attenuate the postprandial, cardiometabolic dysfunction which follows energy-dense food intakes; especially in at-risk populations. We therefore examined whether adding blueberries to a high-fat/high-sugar meal affected the postprandial cardiometabolic response over 24 h.

Methods: A parallel, double-blind RCT (n = 45; age 63.

Blueberries improve biomarkers of cardiometabolic function in participants with metabolic syndrome-results from a 6-month, double-blind, randomized controlled trial.

Background: Anthocyanin-rich blueberry intake is associated with reduced type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in prospective studies, although long-term randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have not been conducted in at-risk populations.

Objective: In the longest-duration RCT to date, we examined the effect of 6-mo blueberry intake on insulin resistance and cardiometabolic function in metabolic syndrome.

Methods: A double-blind, parallel RCT (n = 115; age 63 ± 7 y; 68% male; body mass index 31.

Programming of central and peripheral insulin resistance by low birthweight and postnatal catch-up growth in male mice.

Aims: Intra-uterine growth restriction (IUGR) followed by accelerated postnatal growth is associated with an increased risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes. We aimed to determine central and peripheral insulin sensitivity in mice that underwent IUGR followed by postnatal catch-up growth and investigate potential molecular mechanisms underpinning their physiology.

Methods: We used a C57BL/6J mouse model of maternal diet-induced IUGR (maternal diet, 8% protein) followed by cross-fostering to a normal nutrition dam (maternal diet, 20% protein) and litter size manipulation to cause accelerated postnatal catch-up growth.

Flavan-3-ols, theobromine, and the effects of cocoa and chocolate on cardiometabolic risk factors.

Purpose Of Review: Although there is growing interest surrounding the potential health benefits of cocoa and chocolate, the relative contribution of bioactive constituents for these effects remains unclear. This review summarizes the recent research on the cardiometabolic effects of cocoa and chocolate with a focus on two key constituents: flavan-3-ols and theobromine.

Recent Findings: Recent meta-analyses suggest beneficial cardiometabolic effects of chocolate following short-term intake, including improvements in flow-mediated dilatation, blood pressure, lipoprotein levels and biomarkers of insulin resistance.

Leptin-independent programming of adult body weight and adiposity in mice.

Low birth weight and rapid postnatal weight gain are independent and additive risk factors for the subsequent development of metabolic disease. Despite an abundance of evidence for these associations, mechanistic data are lacking. The hormone leptin has received significant interest as a potential programming factor, because differences in the profile of leptin in early life have been associated with altered susceptibility to obesity.