Project description:Interventions: Group 1: Arm 1 - 0.33 L Anthocyanin-rich blueberry / grape juice daily for 28 days. This is followed by a wash-out period of 10 days and a run-in phase of 7 days.
Group 2: Arm 1 - 0.33 L Anthocyanin-reduced blueberry / grape juice daily for 28 days. This is followed by a wash-out period of 10 days and a run-in phase of 7 days.
Primary outcome(s): Inhibition of tumor cell migration in vitro after application of plasma-isolated anthocyanins and metabolites. The endpoint is recorded after 28 days compared to day 1.
Study Design: Allocation: Randomized controlled study; Masking: Blinded (masking used); Control: placebo; Assignment: crossover; Study design purpose: basic science
Project description:In the present study, we employed the high-throughput sequencing technology to profile miRNAs in blueberry fruits. A total of 9,992,446 small RNA tags with sizes ranged from 18 to 30 nt were obtained, indicating that blueberry fruits have a large and diverse small RNA population. Bioinformatic analysis has identified 412 conserved miRNAs, which belong to 20 families, and 57 predicted novel miRNAs likely unique to blueberries. Among them, expression profiles of 5 conserved miRNAs were validated by stem loop qRT-PCR. Furthermore, the potential target genes of the abundant conserved and novel miRNAs were predicted and subjected for Gene Ontology (GO) annotation. Enrichment analysis of the GO-represented biological processes and molecular functions revealed that these target genes were involved in a wide range of metabolic and developmental processes. This study is the first report on genome-wide miRNA profile analysis in blueberry and it provides a useful resource for further elucidation of the functional roles of miRNAs during fruit development and ripening.
Project description:Scope: Anthocyanins from diet were found to have therapeutic potential for various cancers including colorectal cancer (CRC). Given the diverse forms of anthocyanins, it is unclear whether different types of anthocyanins share common pathways in regulating intestinal cell function. This study aims to investigate the core gene pathways modulated by anthocyanins in intestinal cells, and to identify potential compounds with similar therapeutic effects.Methods and results: Three different forms anthocyanins were used to treat CRC cells at different concentrations and time points, and growth inhibition was observed in all anthocyanins, with varying patterns. RNA-seq analysis showed that the regulatory-pathways of anthocyanins with different structures were different, and the time factor had a greater effect. Time-series analysis of regulatory-genes shared by different concentrations and structures of anthocyanins was performed. By overlapping with public PPAR target gene set, a core gene set across three types of anthocyanins was identified and used in Connectivity Map (CMap) analysis to screen for compounds. The repositioned drug candidates included known anti-cancer drugs that have effects of transcriptome interventions similar to anthocyanins.Conclusion: These findings provide new insights into the mechanisms underlying the anti-CRC effects of anthocyanins and may facilitate the development of novel therapeutic agents for CRC.
Project description:We demonstrate that blueberry supplementation led to global changes in the gut microbiome, which could possibly contribute to physiological changes in mice
Project description:In this study, blueberry transcriptomics and rhizosphere fungal diversity were analyzed by simulated potting method to treat blueberries with Cd stress, and the content of Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn and Cd in each tissue, soil and DGT of blueberries were determined. , Combined with transcriptomics for correlation analysis. A total of 84374 annotated genes were obtained in blueberry roots, stems, leaves and fruits, of which 3370 DEGs were found, and DEGs in the stem accounted for the highest proportion, totaling 2521. The annotation results show that these DEGs are mainly concentrated in a series of metabolic pathways related to signal transduction, defense and pathogenic response. Blueberries transfer excess Cd from the root to the stem for storage. The stem contains the highest Cd content, which is consistent with the transcriptomics analysis results, while the fruit contains the lowest Cd content. Correlation analysis between heavy metal content and transcriptomics results in each tissue was carried out, and a series of genes related to Cd regulation were screened. The blueberry root system relies on mycorrhiza to absorb nutrients in the soil. The intervention of Cd has severely affected the microflora structure of the blueberry rhizosphere soil. Coniochaetaceae, which is extremely tolerant, has gradually become the dominant population.
Project description:Blueberry is one of the most desirable and nutritious fruits. During fruit development, the blueberry’s organoleptic properties and phytonutrient composition are ever-changing [1]. Blueberry fruit development is typically described in five phases: pads, cups, green, pink, and blue (ripe) [2]. The former two phases are referred to as the initial “expansion”. During expansion, young fruit is generally hard, dark green and distinguishable by size [3]. The latter three phases are referred to as maturation. Green fruit are hard and fully rounded green berries; pink berries are partially pigmented; blue (ripe) berries are fully colored and soft. Fruit maturation has attracted considerable research attention, and typically, the characteristics fruit softening, coloring, and sweetening are assessed [4].
Project description:We did whole-genome methylation sequencing for 21 Vaccinium samples. This project attempts to analyze the improvement breeding process of cultivated blueberry from two aspects of heredity and epigenetic inheritance.
Project description:Blueberry proanthocyanidins and anthocyanins improve metabolic health through a gut microbiota-dependent mechanism in diet-induced obese mice
Project description:Blueberry proanthocyanidins and anthocyanins improve metabolic health through a gut microbiota-dependent mechanism in diet-induced obese mice