AUTHOR=Hurst Roger D. , Lyall Kirsty A. , Roberts Joanna M. , Perthaner Anton , Wells Robyn W. , Cooney Janine M. , Jensen Dwayne J. , Burr Natalie S. , Hurst Suzanne M. 

TITLE=Consumption of an Anthocyanin-Rich Extract Made From New Zealand Blackcurrants Prior to Exercise May Assist Recovery From Oxidative Stress and Maintains Circulating Neutrophil Function: A Pilot Study

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Nutrition

VOLUME=6

YEAR=2019

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/nutrition/articles/10.3389/fnut.2019.00073

DOI=10.3389/fnut.2019.00073

ISSN=2296-861X

ABSTRACT=<p><bold>Aim:</bold> To evaluate blackcurrant anthocyanin-rich extract (BAE) consumption on time- and dose-dependent plasma anthocyanin bioavailability and conduct a pilot study to explore the potential effect of BAE in promoting recovery from exercise-induced oxidative stress, and maintenance of circulating neutrophil function.</p><p><bold>Methods:</bold> Time- and dose-dependent blackcurrant anthocyanin bioavailability was assessed using LC-MS in 12 participants over 6 h after the ingestion of a placebo or BAE containing 0.8, 1.6, or 3.2 mg/kg total anthocyanins. In a separate pilot intervention exercise trial, 32 participants consumed either a placebo or 0.8, 1.6, or 3.2 mg/kg BAE (8 individuals per group), and then 1 h later performed a 30 min row at 70% VO<sub>2</sub>max. Blood was collected during the trial for oxidative, antioxidant, inflammatory, and circulating neutrophil status.</p><p><bold>Results:</bold> Consumption of BAE caused a time- and dose-dependent increase in plasma anthocyanins, peaking at 2 h after ingestion of 3.2 mg/kg BAE (217 ± 69 nM). BAE consumed 1 h prior to a 30 min row had no effect on plasma antioxidant status but hastened the recovery from exercise-induced oxidative stress: By 2 h recovery, consumption of 1.6 mg/kg BAE prior to exercise caused a significant (<italic>P</italic> &lt; 0.05) 34 and 32% decrease in post-exercise plasma oxidative capacity and protein carbonyl levels, respectively, compared to placebo. BAE consumption prior to exercise dose-dependently attenuated a small, yet significant (<italic>P</italic> &lt; 0.01) transient 13 ± 2% decline in circulating neutrophils observed in the placebo group immediately post-exercise. Furthermore, the timed consumption of either 1.6 or 3.2 mg/kg BAE attenuated a 17 ± 2.4% (<italic>P</italic> &lt; 0.05) decline in neutrophil phagocytic capability of opsonised FITC-<italic>Escherichia coli</italic> observed 6 h post-exercise in the placebo group. Similarly, a dose-dependent increase in neutrophil surface expression of complement receptor-3 complex (CR3, critical for effective phagocytosis of opsonised microbes), was observed 6 h post-exercise in both 1.6 and 3.2 mg/kg BAE intervention groups.</p><p><bold>Conclusions:</bold> Consumption of BAE (&gt;1.6 mg/kg) 1 h prior to exercise facilitated recovery from exercise-induced oxidative stress and preserved circulating neutrophil function. This study provides data to underpin a larger study designed to evaluate the efficacy of timed BAE consumption on post-exercise recovery and innate immunity.</p>