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Bilberry Supplementation after Myocardial Infarction Decreases Microvesicles in Blood and Affects Endothelial
Paulina Bryl-Górecka1, Ramasri Sathanoori1, Lilith Arevström2
1Department of Cardiology, Clinical Sciences, Lund University, 221 00, Lund, Sweden.
Insights
Bilberry extract (BE) supplementation improved cardiovascular health by reducing circulating microvesicles (MVs) and endothelial cell vesiculation, offering new insights into bilberry
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Research
- Nutritional Science
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Bilberry consumption is linked to cardioprotection, but underlying mechanisms remain unclear.
- Cardiovascular disease involves elevated proatherogenic factors and circulating microvesicles (MVs).
- High MV levels, including platelet-derived MVs (PMVs) and endothelial-derived MVs (EMVs), are associated with cardiovascular disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of bilberry extract (BE) supplementation on MV levels in patients with myocardial infarction.
- To examine the influence of BE on endothelial vesiculation in vitro.
- To elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which BE affects vesiculation pathways.
Main Methods:
- An open-label study involving 8-week BE supplementation in myocardial infarction patients.
- Quantification of PMVs and EMVs using acoustic trapping and flow cytometry.
- In vitro assessment of BE's effect on endothelial extracellular vesicle (EV) release, Akt phosphorylation, and gene transcription via Western blot and qRT-PCR.
Main Results:
- BE supplementation significantly decreased circulating PMVs and EMVs in patients.
- In vitro, BE reduced endothelial EV release, Akt phosphorylation, and vesiculation-related gene expression.
- BE demonstrated protective effects against P2X7 receptor-induced EV release and associated gene expression changes.
Conclusions:
- Bilberry extract supplementation beneficially alters the MV profile in patients with cardiovascular disease.
- BE reduces endothelial vesiculation via molecular mechanisms involving the P2X7 receptor.
- These findings provide novel insights into the cardioprotective mechanisms of bilberries.
Scope:
Diet rich in bilberries is considered cardioprotective, but the mechanisms of action are poorly understood. Cardiovascular disease is characterized by increased proatherogenic status and high levels of circulating microvesicles (MVs). In an open-label study patients with myocardial infarction receive an 8 week dietary supplementation with bilberry extract (BE). The effect of BE on patient MV levels and its influence on endothelial vesiculation in vitro is investigated.
Methods And Results:
MVs are captured with acoustic trapping and platelet-derived MVs (PMVs), as well as endothelial-derived MVs (EMVs) are quantified with flow cytometry. The in vitro effect of BE on endothelial extracellular vesicle (EV) release is examined using endothelial cells and calcein staining. The mechanisms of BE influence on vesiculation pathways are studied by Western blot and qRT-PCR. Supplementation with BE decreased both PMVs and EMVs. Furthermore, BE reduced endothelial EV release, Akt phosphorylation, and vesiculation-related gene transcription. It also protects the cells from P2X7 -induced EV release and increase in vesiculation-related gene expression.
Conclusion:
BE supplementation improves the MV profile in patient blood and reduces endothelial vesiculation through several molecular mechanisms related to the P2X7 receptor. The findings provide new insight into the cardioprotective effects of bilberries.
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