A red-fleshed apple rich in anthocyanins improves endothelial function, reduces inflammation, and modulates the immune system in hypercholesterolemic subjects: the AppleCOR study.
- 2024-06-04
- Food & function 15(11)
- Anna Pedret
- Judit Companys
- Lorena Calderón-Pérez
- Elisabet Llauradó
- Laura Pla-Pagà
- Patricia Salamanca
- Berner-Andree Sandoval-Ramírez
- Úrsula Catalán
- Sara Fernández-Castillejo
- Silvia Yuste
- Alba Macià
- Laia Gutiérrez-Tordera
- Mónica Bulló
- Jordi Camps
- Núria Canela
- Rosa Maria Valls
- Laura Rubió-Piqué
- Maria José Motilva
- Rosa Solà
- PubMed: 38751340
- DOI: 10.1039/d3fo05114e
Study Design
- Type
- Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
- Population
- hypercholesterolemic subjects
- Methods
- randomized, parallel study for 6 weeks and two dose-response studies at baseline and after intervention
- Duration
- 6 weeks
- Rigorous Journal
The study determines the sustained and acute effects of a red-fleshed apple (RFA), rich in anthocyanins (ACNs), a white-fleshed apple (WFA) without ACNs, and an infusion from Aronia melanocarpa (AI) with an equivalent content of ACNs as RFA, on different cardiometabolic risk biomarkers in hypercholesterolemic subjects. A randomized, parallel study was performed for 6 weeks and two dose-response studies were performed at the baseline and after intervention. At 6 weeks, RFA consumption improved ischemic reactive hyperemia and decreased C-reactive protein and interleukine-6 compared to WFA consumption. Moreover, at 6 weeks, AI decreased P-selectin compared to WFA and improved the lipid profile. Three products reduced C1q, C4 and Factor B, and RFA and AI reduced C3. Although both RFA and AI have a similar ACN content, RFA, by a matrix effect, induced more improvements in inflammation, whereas AI improved the lipid profile. Anti-inflammatory protein modulation by proteomic reduction of the complement system and immunoglobulins were verified after WFA, AI and RFA consumption.