The impact of cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) and cranberry products on each component of the metabolic syndrome: a review

BACKGROUND: Some studies have shown that cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) has beneficial effects on the components of the metabolic syndrome (MetS), a condition characterized by a cluster of cardiovascular risk factors suchas central obesity, hypertension, impaired glucose homeostasis, elevated triglycerides, and decreased HDL cholesterol levels. Cranberry is very rich in polyphenols, which may significantly reduce cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. Main body of the ABSTRACT: Nutritional intervention studies have indicated that the intake of cranberries and cranberry products may have the following impact on metabolic health: (1) attenuate markers of obesity such as body weight, body mass index, and waist circumference; (2) reduce systolic and diastolic pressures; (3) decrease plasma concentrations of triglycerides and oxidized LDL-cholesterol, as well as increase HDL cholesterol; and (4) promote glucose homeostasis. In addition, nutritional intervention with cranberries could confer antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and the ability to reduce biomarkers of atherosclerosis associated with the MetS, such as homocysteine. Short CONCLUSION: Although there has been promising results, particularly related to lipid profile and blood pressure, further research is needed to support the recommendation of cranberry intake as a nutritional intervention for the treatment of MetS

Gypsy moth herbivory induced volatiles and reduced parasite attachment to cranberry hosts.

Interactions between species can have cascading effects that shape subsequent interactions. For example, herbivory can induce plant defenses that affect subsequent interactions with herbivores, pathogens, mycorrhizae, and pollinators. Parasitic plants are present in most ecosystems, and play important roles in structuring communities. However, the effects of host herbivory on parasitic plants, and the potential mechanisms underlying such effects, are not well known. We conducted a greenhouse study to ask whether gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar) damage, host cultivar, and their interaction affected preference of the stem parasite dodder (Cuscuta spp.) on cranberry hosts (Vaccinium macrocarpum). We then assessed the mechanisms that could underlie such effects by measuring induced changes in phytohormones and secondary compounds. We found that damage by gypsy moths delayed dodder attachment by approximately 0.3 days when dodder stems were added 2 days after damage, and reduced attachment by more than 50% when dodder stems were added 1 week after host plant damage. Gypsy moth damage significantly increased jasmonic acid (JA) levels, total volatile emissions, and the flavonol, quercetin aglycone, suggesting possible mechanisms underlying variation in dodder ability to locate or attach to hosts. Dodder preference also differed between cranberry cultivars, with the highest attachment on the cultivar that had significantly lower levels of total volatile emissions and total phenolic acids, suggesting that volatile composition and phenolics may mediate dodder preference. Our results indicate that herbivory can reduce subsequent attachment by a highly damaging parasitic plant, demonstrating the potential importance of early damage for shaping subsequent species interactions.

Cranberry Resistance to Dodder Parasitism: Induced Chemical Defenses and Behavior of a Parasitic Plant.

Parasitic plants are common in many ecosystems, where they can structure community interactions and cause major economic damage. For example, parasitic dodder (Cuscuta spp.) can cause up to 80-100 % yield loss in heavily infested cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) patches. Despite their ecological and economic importance, remarkably little is known about how parasitic plants affect, or are affected by, host chemistry. To examine chemically-mediated interactions between dodder and its cranberry host, we conducted a greenhouse experiment asking whether: (1) dodder performance varies with cranberry cultivar; (2) cultivars differ in levels of phytohormones, volatiles, or phenolics, and whether such variation correlates with dodder parasitism; (3) dodder parasitism induced changes in phytohormones, volatiles, or phenolics, and whether the level of inducible response varied among cultivars. We used five cranberry cultivars to assess host attractiveness to dodder and dodder performance. Dodder performance did not differ across cultivars, but there were marginally significant differences in host attractiveness to dodder, with fewer dodder attaching to Early Black than to any other cultivar. Dodder parasitism induced higher levels of salicylic acid (SA) across cultivars. Cultivars differed in overall levels of flavonols and volatile profiles, but not phenolic acids or proanthocyanidins, and dodder attachment induced changes in several flavonols and volatiles. While cultivars differed slightly in resistance to dodder attachment, we did not find evidence of chemical defenses that mediate these interactions. However, induction of several defenses indicates that parasitism alters traits that could influence subsequent interactions with other species, thus shaping community dynamics.

Physiological integration plays key role in cranberry (Ericales: Ericaceae) for tolerance of damage by Dasineura oxycoccana (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae).

Understanding the mechanisms by which plants tolerate herbivory is important in the study of insect-plant interactions. In cranberry, current season growth has been identified as the main source of photosynthate for the developing fruits. Feeding injury by larvae of cranberry tipworm, Dasineura oxycoccana Johnson, disrupts the apical growth of cranberry shoots or uprights, but does not impact fruit output. To study the effects of experimentally depleting photosynthate available from sources other than the current season growth on fruit output, we girdled tipworm-injured uprights. This technique enabled us to estimate the contribution of current season growth in supplying photosynthate to developing fruits in tipworm-injured uprights. The mean fruit weight declined by >55% in those tipworm-injured uprights that were limited to photosynthate from only the current season growth (girdled uprights). The result was consistent between two phenologically different cultivars of cranberry, one a native selection from wild cranberry stands ('Howes') and the other a hybrid ('Stevens'). In addition, fruit weight was positively correlated to current season leaf area in the girdled uprights only. These results strongly suggest that physiological integration among the different sources of photosynthate plays a key role in the tolerance of tipworm feeding injury for fruit output in cranberry.

Susceptibility of cranberries to Drosophila suzukii (Diptera: Drosophilidae).

Drosophila suzukii Matsumura (Diptera: Drosophilidae), commonly referred to as the spotted wing drosophila, is an exotic species that has proven a troublesome pest of fruit production in the United States. The fly targets small fruit and thus represents a concern for the U.S. cranberry industry. Two studies were conducted to assess whether cranberries may serve as hosts for D. suzukii. In the first study, the suitability of ripe, unripe, and over-ripe cranberries were assayed by examining adult oviposition and larval development in no-choice trials. In the second study, wounded and unwounded fruit were examined as potential hosts in choice and no-choice trials. Our first study showed that ripe, unripe, and over-ripe cranberries were unsuitable hosts (few eggs were laid, with no surviving puparia). In the wounded and unwounded berry study, no larvae survived to adulthood among unwounded berries. Within wounded fruit, D. suzukii readily fed and developed into adults. Together, these results suggest that unwounded cranberries--whether ripe, unripe, or over-ripe--are unsuitable as hosts for D. suzukii. Wounded rotting cranberries, however, can serve as hosts. Across the landscape, cranberry marshes with rotting fruit may contribute to D. suzukii source-sink dynamics.

Arándano americano (Vaccinium macrocarpon): conclusiones de la investigación y de la evidencia clínica / Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon): research findings and clinical evidence

Esta revisión explora la posible relación entre metabolitos del arándano americano o cranberry (fruto de Vaccinium macrocarpon) y un efecto beneficioso sobre la salud humana. Estudios in vitro sobre E. coli han demostrado que el arándano americano posee efecto de antiadhesión bacteriana por su contenido en proantocianidinas (PAC) tipo A, de forma dosis-dependiente. Numerosos estudios en distintas poblaciones han demostrado su efecto preventivo en el desarrollo de infecciones urinarias. Su aparente falta de riesgo durante la gestación, su buena tolerancia y la ausencia de interacciones significativas con fármacos está permitiendo su uso generalizado. Existen estudios experimentales y preclínicos que sugieren posibles beneficios del arándano americano en el terreno antitumoral y antioxidativo. Ensayos clínicos lo vinculan a la prevención de la enfermedad gástrica por H. pylori y de la enfermedad periodontal. Para estas aplicaciones, sin embargo, se deberían desarrollar nuevos estudios que expliquen el mecanismo de acción y confirmen las expectativas clínicas (AU)

This review explores possible relationship between metabolites of cranberry (fruit of Vaccinium macrocarpon) and its beneficial effect on human health. In vitro studies in E. coli have shown that Cranberry has anti bacterial adhesion effect due to its content of proanthocyanidin (PAC) type A, in a dose-dependent way. Many studies have shown its preventive effect in the development of urinary infections in different populations. Its apparent lack of risk during gestation, good tolerability and absence of significative interactions with drugs are allowing their widespread use. Preclinic studies suggest possible benefits of cranberry in antitumoral and antioxidative fields. Clinical assays link cranberry with the prevention of both gastric disease caused by H. pylori and periodontal disease. However, for these applications, additional studies are needed to explain the mechanisms and to confirm clinical expectatives (AU)

Esta revisão aborda possíveis relações entre metabolitos do arando americano (fruto do Vaccinium macrocarpon) e um efeito benéfico sobre a saúde humana. Estudos in vitro em E. coli mostraram que o arando americano tem efeito de anti-adesão bacteriana pelo seu conteúdo em proantocianidinas (PAC) do tipo A, de forma dosedependente. Vários estudos em diferentes populações têm demonstrado o seu efeito preventivo sobre o desenvolvimento de infecções do tracto urinário. A sua aparente falta de risco durante a gravidez, boa tolerância e ausência de interacções significativas com fármacos tem permitido o seu uso generalizado. Existem estudos experimentais e pré-clínicos que sugerem possíveis benefícios do arando americano como anti-tumural e antioxidante. Ensaios clínicos associam-no à prevenção da doença gástrica por H. pylori e doença periodontal. Para estas aplicações, no entanto, mais estudos devem ser desenvolvidos para explicar o mecanismo de acção e confirmar as expectativas clínicas (AU)

Tiny berry big punch: health benefits of the cranberry

We all know that fruits and vegetables are good for you. In fact, its been shown that a diet rich in fruits and vegetables may reduce the risk of some types of cancers and other chronic diseases. But cranberries are not your average fruit. Since 1984, many studies have indicated that cranberries have a number of health benefits, the foremost being the "anti-adhesion" effect on certain bacteria.

Pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management of urinary tract infection in horses.

Equine urinary tract infection (UTI) most commonly occurs as a sequela to structural or functional inhibition of normal urine flow. Although it is an infrequent diagnosis in equids, the incidence of UTI in human beings is high and has inspired great investigative effort. The resultant findings with potentially broad application as well as current equine studies are reviewed here. Recent developments in the understanding of host-agent interactions and renal defense mechanisms, emerging antimicrobial resistance, and novel therapeutic alternatives to prophylactic antibiotic use are emphasized.

Effects of honey bee (Hymenoptera: Apidae) and bumble bee (Hymenoptera: Apidae) presence on cranberry (Ericales: Ericaceae) pollination.

Honey bees, Apis mellifera L., are frequently used to pollinate commercial cranberries, Vaccinium macrocarpon Ait., but information is lacking on the relative contribution of honey bees and native bees, the effects of surrounding vegetation on bee visitation, and on optimal timing for honey bee introduction. We begin with a descriptive study of numbers of honey bees, bumble bees, and other bees visiting cranberry blossoms, and their subsequent effect on cranberry yield, on three cranberry properties in 1999. The property surrounded by agricultural land, as opposed to wetlands and woodlands, had fewer numbers of all bee types. In 2000, one property did not introduce honey bee colonies, providing an opportunity to document the effect of lack of honey bees on yield. With no honey bees, plants along the edge of the bed had significantly higher berry weights compared with nonedge plants, suggesting that wild pollinators were only effective along the edge. Comparing the same bed between 1999, with three honey bee colonies per acre, and 2000, with no honey bees, we found a significant reduction in average berry size. In 2000, we compared stigma loading on properties with and without honey bees. Significantly more stigmas received the minimum number of tetrads required for fruit set on the property with honey bees. Significantly more tetrads were deposited during mid-bloom compared with early bloom, indicating that mid-bloom was the best time to have honey bees present. This study emphasizes the importance and effectiveness of honey bees as pollinators of commercial size cranberry plantings.

[Non-antibiotic prophylaxis for recurrent urinary-tract infections]. / Niet-antibiotische profylaxe van recidiverende urineweginfecties.

Urinary-tract infections (UTIs) occur frequently and hence have significant financial implications. Antibiotic prophylaxis can be considered in women with recurrent UTIs. However, frequent exposure to antibiotics can lead to antimicrobial resistance and side effects. The most important steps in the pathogenesis of UTIs are the colonisation and adherence of uropathogens. Lactobacilli impede intravaginal colonisation by competing with uropathogens. Cranberries interfere with the adherence of uropathogens to uroepithelial cells. Therefore, cranberries and lactobacilli are potential alternatives in the prophylaxis of UTIs. Randomised clinical trials comparing these compounds with long-term, low-dose antibiotics for the prevention of recurrent UTIs in women have not yet been conducted. Such a trial has recently been started in The Netherlands: the 'Non-antibiotic versus antibiotic prophylaxis for recurrent urinary-tract infections' (NAPRUTI) study.

Pathogen reduction in unpasteurized apple cider: adding cranberry juice to enhance the lethality of warm hold and freeze-thaw steps.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations require processors of apple cider sold wholesale to use processing steps that ensure a 5-log reduction in numbers of the pertinent pathogen, generally considered to be Escherichia coli O157:H7. Current widely used validated pathogen-reduction steps are thermal pasteurization and UV light treatment. These techniques may be unaffordable or undesirable for some processors. This study investigated the cran-cider process, which is the addition of cranberry juice at a 15% (vol/vol) level, followed by warm hold (45 degrees C for 2 h) and freeze-thaw steps (-20 degrees C for 24 h, 5 degrees C for 24 h). When enumeration procedures did not include injury repair, the cran-cider process achieved a > or = 5-log reduction in numbers of E. coli O157:H7, Salmonella serovars, and Listeria monocytogenes. However, an injury-repair step was included in the pathogen enumeration procedure in confirmatory trials, and the resulting E. coli O157:H7 reductions of 3.5 to 4.2 log did not meet the FDA requirement. Consumer evaluation of apple cider subjected to the cran-cider process was favorable with a mean (n = 197) score of 5.8 on a seven-point hedonic scale (where 6 equals "like moderately") and 89% of panelists giving the product a positive score of 5, 6, or 7. The cran-cider process provides a novel way to improve microbial safety of unpasteurized apple cider, but it does not meet FDA-mandated pathogen reductions for wholesalers. However, cider makers selling apple cider only at retail could use the process to improve the safety of their product, provided containers were labeled with the FDA-mandated consumer warning.

Compensatory response of cranberry to simulated damage by cranberry weevil (Anthonomus musculus Say) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae).

Cranberry weevil (Anthonomus musculus Say), a key pest of cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon Aiton) in Massachusetts, deposits eggs in unopened flowers and often severs the flower pedicel from the peduncle. The compensatory response of cranberry to simulated cranberry weevil damage was investigated by severing the pedicel of unopened flowers with scissors. When intensity of damage was varied on the cultivar Early Black, complete compensation was observed at three of four sites after removal of 33% of a peduncle's unopened flowers, but a approximately 37% decline in number of fruit and weight of berries per peduncle was observed when 67% of unopened flowers were removed. When timing of damage was varied at sites planted to the cultivar Howes, no differences were observed when 50% of unopened flowers were clipped from a peduncle early versus late in preblossom peduncle growth. However, both the early and late clipping treatments resulted in a 30% decrease in the number and weight of berries per peduncle when compared with the no clipping treatment. These results suggest that cranberry has the ability to tolerate low to moderate levels of weevil damage, but a substantial data base will be required to determine any appropriate changes in threshold recommendations.