[Bioactive compounds anthocyanins as a factor in the nutritional recovery of the body's adaptive potential after intense physical activity in the experiment: assessment of immunological and hematological indicators of adaptation].

Restoring the adaptive potential of an athlete is of paramount importance not only for the implementation of his training and competitive activities, but also for maintaining health. One of the leading place in complex recovery programs in sports is given to full-fledged optimal nutrition, which provides for meeting the body's requirements not only in energy, macro- and micronutrients, but also in minor bioactive compounds. The use of anthocyanin-containing products is a promising strategy for the normalization of metabolic and immune disorders that develop as a result of intense physical and neuro-emotional stress not only in athletes, but also in other groups of people exposed to these factors, including military personnel undergoing training in conditions close to combat. This determines the relevance of this study. The aim of the research was to study the effect of an anthocyanin-enriched diet on hematological profile and cellular immunity in rats after intense physical activity. Material and methods. The experiment was carried out for 4 weeks on 4 groups of male Wistar rats with an initial body weight of ~300 g. The motor activity of the animals of the 1st (control) and 2nd groups was limited by the standard keeping animals in the vivarium, while physically active rats of the 3rd and 4th groups received additional physical activity - training on a treadmill. Before the end of the experiment, the animals of 3rd and 4th groups were given debilitating physical activity on a treadmill (until the rats refused to continue the exercise). Rats of all 4 groups received a standard semi-synthetic diet, water ad libitum. Animals in 2nd and 4th groups were additionally fed blueberry and blackcurrant extract (30% anthocyanins) as part of the diet at a daily dose of 15 mg anthocyanins/kg body weight. Hematological parameters were determined on a Coulter ACT TM 5 diff OV hematological analyzer. Expression of CD45R, CD3, CD4, CD8a, CD161 receptors on rat peripheral blood lymphocytes was determined by direct immunofluorescent staining of whole blood cells using a panel of monoclonal antibodies conjugated with fluorescent dyes: APC, FITC, PE. The measurements were carried out on an FC-500 flow cytometer. Results. Intense physical activity in rats of the 3rd group did not lead to a significant change in erythrocyte parameters compared with the control group. Enrichment of the diet with blueberry and black currant extract (the 2nd and the 4th groups) provided a significant (p<0.05) increase in blood content of hemoglobin (Hb) (150.7±0.9 and 154.4±2.0 vs 145.4±0.9 g/l in control), hematocrit (44.95±0.21 and 46.18±0.64 vs 43.78±0.32%) and the average content of Hb in erythrocytes (18.00±0.20 and 18.03±0.24 vs 17.35±0.24 pg). The absolute content of leukocytes and other cellular elements of the leukocyte formula, as well as leukocyte indices in rats of the experimental groups didn't significantly differ from those of the control rats, which confirms the absence of an inflammatory process. Intense physical activity and anthocyanin enrichment of the diet didn't have a significant effect on rat platelet parameters. Enrichment of the diet of rats of the 4th group with blueberry and black currant extract led to the activation of cellular immunity, as evidenced by a significant (p<0.01) increase in the percentage (from the total content of T-lymphocytes) of T-helpers (70.13 ±1.34 vs 63.75±0.99%) and a decrease in the relative content of cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (28.65±1.38 vs 34.71±0.95%) in comparison with those in rats of the 3rd group and at the level of the trend (р<0.1) - from the 1st group indexes (66.87±1.20 and 31.87±1.26%, accordingly). Intense physical activity led to a decrease in immunoregulatory index in rats of the 3rd group (1.86±0.07) compared with the control (2.13±0.12) (p<0.1), and in animals of the 4th group this indicator was significantly higher (2.50±0.14, p<0.05). In animals of the 3rd group a statistically significant (p<0.05) decrease in the relative content of NK cells in peripheral blood was found compared to the control. Enrichment of the diet of physically active rats with blueberry and black currant extract led to a significant (p<0.05) increase in the percentage of NK cells compared to this indicator in rats of the 3rd group (4.87±0.75 vs 2.08±0.18%) and had no significant difference with the indicator in rats of the control group (4.32±0.98%). Conclusion. The enrichment of the rats' diet with blueberry and blackcurrant extract containing a daily dose of 15 mg of anthocyanins per kg of body weight provides an increase in blood Hb content, hematocrit and the average content Hb in erythrocytes. It has been established that intense physical activity induces the cellular immunity suppression. The activating effect of anthocyanins on adaptive cellular immunity and NK cells, which are lymphocytes of innate immunity, was revealed. The data obtained indicate the effectiveness of the use of bioactive compounds (anthocyanins) to increase the adaptive potential of the organism.

Assessment of in vitro Effects of Anthocyanins on Platelet Function.

BACKGROUND: Increased platelet activity plays a significant role in the development of arterial thrombosis and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Natural antioxidants including anthocyanin (AC) have gained considerable interest due to their hypothesized antithrombotic potential. PRIMARY STUDY OBJECTIVE: Our study aimed to examine the in vitro effect of AC compounds on platelet activation and aggregation. METHODS: Fasting blood samples were collected from healthy volunteers (n = 13). A full blood examination was done to exclude any abnormal specimen. Flow cytometer assessed platelet activity by recording platelet surface markers expression of P-selectin (CD62P) and PAC-1. Platelet aggregation studies were performed by stimulating platelets using three different agonists adenosine diphosphate (ADP), collagen and arachidonic acid (AA). SETTING: The study was done in the school of Medical Sciences, Griffith University. PARTICIPANTS: Thirteen healthy adult participants were involved for blood collection. INTERVENTION: AC was prepared using hemicellulose capsules sourced from Bilberries and Black Currants. RESULTS: Anthocyanin (50 mg/L) significantly inhibited AA-induced platelet aggregation. Expression of P-selectin was significantly suppressed by 50 mg/L AC as measured by flow cytometer. CONCLUSIONS: AC attenuates platelet function by suppressing P-selectin expression and influencing Thromboxane A2 pathway (AA stimulation). These results provide further evidence for the effect of AC and the possible mechanism by which AC reduces platelet aggregation and activation. This study supports future human intervention trials to show that AC may act as a complement to other antiplatelet agents in reducing the risk of thrombosis.

Consumption of An Anthocyanin-Rich Antioxidant Juice Accelerates Recovery of Running Economy and Indirect Markers of Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage Following Downhill Running.

This study examined the effects of anthocyanin-rich antioxidant juice (AJ) on the recovery of exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) and the running economy (RE) following downhill running (DHR). Thirty healthy young men were randomly divided into two blinded groups and consumed either AJ or placebo (PLA) for nine days (240 mL twice-a-day). On day 5, the participants from both groups ran downhill (-15%) for 30 min at 70% of their maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) speeds. The changes in RE (oxygen uptake (VO2) and perceived effort (PE) during 5-min runs at 80%VO2max) and EIMD (isometric peak torque (IPT), muscle soreness (SOR) and serum creatine kinase activity (CK)) were compared over time and between the groups on the 4 days following DHR. VO2 and PE increased (p < 0.05) immediately following DHR for both groups and remained elevated for PLA until 48h post-DHR while fully recovering 24 h post-DHR for AJ. SOR was greater (p < 0.05) for PLA throughout the study. CK increased for both groups and was greater (p < 0.05) for PLA at 96 h post-DHR. IPT decreased for both groups but recovered faster for AJ (72 h) compared to PLA (no full recovery). AJ accelerated recovery of RE and EIMD and should be used in specific contexts, but not chronically.

Flavonoid and lignan intake in a Mediterranean population: proposal for a holistic approach in polyphenol dietary analysis, the Moli-sani Study.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study is to extract and assess data on the dietary intake of flavonoids and lignans in a healthy free-living Mediterranean population, using newly updated harmonized European Union food composition data. This work also aimed at analyzing in a holistic way the total content of the diet in major classes of polyphenols. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Six thousand nine hundred and eighty-one men and 7048 women (aged ⩾ 35 years) of the Moli-sani cohort, randomly recruited from the general population, were analyzed. The European Prospective Investigation into Cancer (EPIC) and Nutrition-Food Frequency Questionnaire was used for dietary assessment. The polyphenol content of each food group was evaluated using Eurofir BioActive Substances in Food Information System and the United States Department of Agriculture food composition tables (FCTs), when data were missing. Flavonol, flavone, flavanone, flavanol, anthocyanin, isoflavone and lignan intakes were calculated and polyphenol antioxidant content (PAC) score (-28, 28) constructed, to assess the total content of the diet in these nutrients. RESULTS: Seasonal and citrus fruits, leafy, grain, pod and root vegetables, and onions and garlic accounted for different proportions (11-70%) of the total intake of different polyphenols. Within the Moli-sani population, men or older, or no/former smokers, or physically active or obese/overweight individuals presented higher consumption of flavonoids, lignans and PAC score (P for all <0.01). Multiple regression analysis showed that PAC score and its seven components were positively associated with Mediterranean diet (MeD) adherence in both genders (ß-coefficient >0, P<0.001). In addition, 1 unit increase in PAC score was associated with 7.1-7.8% increase in the likelihood of high MeD adherence (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The intake of flavonoids and lignans in an European Union population was calculated using harmonized European Union FCT data. In addition, a holistic approach in dietary analysis of polyphenol intake was proposed.

Comparative assessment of distribution of blackcurrant anthocyanins in rabbit and rat ocular tissues.

Anthocyanins (ACs) are phenolic compounds that are distributed widely in fruits and vegetables. Although consumption of these compounds has been shown to improve visual function, the distribution of ACs in ocular tissue has not been examined in detail. The aim of this study was therefore to evaluate the ocular distribution of blackcurrant anthocyanins (BCAs) in rats and rabbits after oral, intravenous (i.v.) and intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration. Identification and quantification of ACs were carried out using high-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-MS) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with UV-visible detection, respectively. BCAs were identified in the plasma and whole eye after oral and i.p. administration in rats. No other peaks were detected in either plasma or ocular tissues after administration when the absorbance of the eluate was monitored at 520 nm. This finding indicates that intact forms of ACs were present in rats after administration of BCA. In rats given i.p. administration, the concentration of total ACs in the whole eye and some ocular tissues was higher than that measured in plasma. These results suggested that ACs detected in the ocular tissues were not due to residual blood. Following i.v. administration in rabbits, four ACs were identified in the plasma and several ocular tissues including the aqueous humor, cornea, sclera, choroid, ciliary body, iris and retina. A small amount of ACs was also detected in the vitreous and lens. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that BCAs were absorbed and distributed in ocular tissues as intact forms. Our data show clearly that intact forms of BCAs pass thorough the blood-aqueous barrier and blood-retinal barrier in both rats and rabbits.

[Comparative study of the effectiveness of continuous or intermittent courses of a phlebotonic drug on venous disorders disclosed or aggravated by oral, estrogen-progesterone contraceptives]. / Etude comparative de l'efficacité des cures continues ou discontinues d'un phlébotonique sur les troubles veineux révélés ou aggravés par la contraception orale estroprogestative.

In patients with venous disorders related to oral contraceptives, venotonic treatment should be prescribed for as long as contraception is maintained. 2,295 patients between the ages of 20 and 40 years with venous insufficiency revealed or aggravated by oral contraceptives were randomised to receive venotonic treatment for one month either continuously or in parallel with active contraceptive treatment, from the 10th to the 28th day. The results demonstrated the values of prolonged treatment of venous disease, as its effects persisted and were reinforced with time. The possibility of intermittent prescription would appear to improve compliance and lower the cost of treatment while ensuring comparable long-term efficacy.

PIP: Throughout France, physicians randomly assigned 2295 women with vein insufficiency, which was either disclosed or aggravated by use of a combined oral contraceptive (OC), to the group treated by two doses of the extract of Ribes nigrum every day for 24 weeks or to the group treated with the same dose of the phlebotonic drug only during days 10-28 of the cycle (i.e., parallel with OC use). There were 968 women in the first group and 1023 in the second group. Continuous treatment significantly reduced signs and symptoms of vein insufficiency (p 0.001). In fact, after 24 weeks of treatment, pain and edema were absent in 89.1% and 79.6% of women, respectively. Treatment only during days 10-28 of the cycle also significantly reduced signs and symptoms (p 0.001). The disappearance rate of the various signs and symptoms among women in the second group were comparable with the rate of women in the first group. After 24 weeks of treatment parallel with OC use, the disappearance rate ranged from 61% to 96%, depending on the sign or symptom. The effects of both treatments continued and improved with time. These findings show that intermittent use of the phlebotonic drug equals that of daily use. It appears that intermittent use will improve compliance and reduce drug costs while maintaining long-term efficacy.