Abstract
Abstract only Atherosclerosis, a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by formation of fatty plaques in arteries, is a major contributor to cardiovascular risk. Oxidation of LDL by reactive oxygen species is thought to be involved in atherosclerosis progression. Cranberries ( Vaccinium macrocarpon ) are rich in flavonoid and phenolic antioxidants, and therefore we evaluated the effects of cranberry diets in ApoE‐deficient mice, a model of atherosclerosis. ApoE‐deficient mice and control mice were fed a high fat (20%) diet containing either 0%, 3% or 10% freeze‐dried cranberry for 8 wks. Total weight (g) at 8 wks was lower in control mice fed 3% and 10% cranberry diets and in ApoE‐deficient mice fed 10% cranberry compared to mice fed control diet, despite comparable food consumption rates between groups (~3.5 g/day). In control mice, total plasma cholesterol levels were reduced by ~20% (p=0.042) by feeding 3% cranberry for 8 wks, and by ~15% (p=0.013) and ~20% (p=0.032) by feeding 10% cranberry for 6 and 8 wks respectively. Cholesterol levels were reduced by ~17% (p=0.053) in the ApoE deficient mice fed 10% cranberry for 8 weeks. The current results indicate a potential beneficial effect of cranberry extracts on the prevention of atherosclerosis development mice. Supported by the Cranberry Institute of Massachusetts and the AIF in grants to MS and CN.