Bilberry juice modulates plasma concentration of NF-κB related inflammatory markers in subjects at increased risk of CVD

Supplementation with bilberry juice resulted in significant decreases in plasma concentrations of C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-15, and monokine induced by INF-γ (MIG). Unexpectedly, an increase in the plasma concentration of tumor nuclear factor-α (TNF-α) was observed in the bilberry group. CRP, IL-6, IL15, MIG, and TNF-α are all target genes of nuclear factor- kappa B (NF-κB), —a transcription factor that is crucial in orchestrating inflammatory responses. Plasma quercetin and p-coumaric acid increased in the bilberry group, otherwise no differences were observed for clinical parameters, oxidative stress or antioxidant status. Furthermore, we studied the effect of polyphenols from bilberries on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced NF-κB activation in a monocytic cell line. We observed that quercetin, epicatechin, and resveratrol inhibited NF-κB activation.