Blueberry Effects on Cholesterol Examined in Lab Animal Study
June 3, 2011| |
Investigations conducted in the USDA-ARS laboratory at the Western Regional Research Center focused on the effect of blueberry juice by-products on the plasma cholesterol of hamsters. Blueberry skins, fiber extracted from peels, or juice extracted from peels were fed to hamsters and the levels of total plasma cholesterol and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) – a bad cholesterol were observed, as well as the genes responsible for these effects in the liver.
Wallace Yokohama, a USDA chemist and his co-investigator found that there was about a 44 percent lowering of VLDL and 22 to 27 percent lower total plasma cholesterol in blueberry by-products-fed hamsters. In addition, using real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, differences in the level of activity of certain liver genes were observed.
Future research will focus on the identification of the compounds in blueberry which trigger this reduced cholesterol levels, as well as to see whether a similar phenomenon occurs in humans.
The news article can be viewed at http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2011/110531.htm.
| |
Biotech Updates is a weekly newsletter of ISAAA, a not-for-profit organization. It is distributed for free to over 22,000 subscribers worldwide to inform them about the key developments in biosciences, especially in biotechnology. Your support will help us in our mission to feed the world with knowledge. You can help by donating as little as $10.
-
See more articles:
-
News from Around the World
- Renewed Investments and Enabling Policies for Poverty Reduction
- Impacts of GE Crops on Biodiversity
- Oxfam: Avert Global Food Crisis
- Nigeria Passes Biosafety Bill
- African Researchers and Farmers Begin Effort to Reduce Crop Loss from Striga
- SACAU Adopts GMO Policy Framework
- Plant Breeders to Use Genomic Selection to Improve Crops in Developing Countries
- Researchers Discover Key for Identifying Gender in Date Palm Trees
- Climate Change Allows Invasive Weed to Outcompete Local Species
- Bioengineers Design Faster and Less Expensive Chip Producing DNA
- Bill to Accelerate Biotech Approvals in U.S.
- Hard White Winter Wheat Registered for Planting in Ontario, Canada
- Australian Farmers Part of the Global Food Security Solution
- FSANZ Response to Study Linking Cry1Ab Protein in Blood to GM Foods
- FSANZ Calls for Comment on Horticulture Paper
- Managing Biotechnologies for Resource Poor Farmers
- Species Extinction in Plants
- Roadblock to Nutrient Selection and Harmful Microorganisms in Plant Roots
- Europe Should Change Agricultural Policies, Says IIED
-
Research Highlights
- Scientists Track the Fate of Cry1Ab protein in Agricultural Chain
- Insect Resistance Transgenes Reduce Herbivory and Enhance Fecundity in Rice
- Resistance to Recombinant Stem Rust Race TPPKC in Wheat
-
Beyond Crop Biotech
- How Can Research on Plants Contribute to Promoting Human Health
- Blueberry Effects on Cholesterol Examined in Lab Animal Study
- Bioengineered Blood Vessels Are State-of-the-Artery
-
Announcements
- CIALCA International Conference in Rwanda
- Biotech World Congress in Dubai
- ISAAA Now on Facebook and Twitter
-
Resources
- Updated Pocket Ks on Insect Resistance and Herbicide Tolerance Technologies
- Growing Better Rice for a Hungry World
- Economics of GM Crop Cultivation
-
Read the latest: - Biotech Updates (April 24, 2024)
- Gene Editing Supplement (April 24, 2024)
- Gene Drive Supplement (February 22, 2023)
-
Subscribe to BU: - Share
- Tweet