Abstract Summary/Description
A western diet, characterized by high levels of fats, sugars and salt, is linked to increased levels of inflammation and oxidative stress. The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway plays a key role in driving inflammation associated with such diets. Blueberries (BB) are well known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Thus, the objective of this study is to assess the mechanisms by which BB exert their cardio-protective effects in mice fed a Western diet. UM-HET3 male mice were either assigned to a control diet (low-fat, low-sucrose, low-salt, LFLSS) alone or supplemented with 5% BB (LFLSS + BB) for four weeks. LFLSS animals remained in the LFLSS or were switched to a high-fat, high-sucrose, high-salt (HFHSS) diet. The LFLSS + BB were switched to consume a HFHSS + BB (5% w/w). Mice were sacrificed and hearts were collected for protein analysis using Western Blot. Data were examined for normality and analyzed using one-way ANOVA or Kruskal-Wallis as appropriate. We observed no changes in the expression of superoxide dismutase (SOD)2, an antioxidant enzyme, and IL-6, a pro-inflammatory cytokine. BB supplementation significantly reduced the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 compared to control (p>0.0316). ERK1/2 is a MAPK that is activated in response to oxidative stress and modulates the expression of IL-6 and SOD2 by activation of transcription factors. This may indicate that BB may reduce oxidative stress thereby downregulating ERK1/2; however, this needs to be confirmed. Further analysis is underway
