Stefano Vendrame’s research while affiliated with University of Maine and other places

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Publications (31)


In Vitro and In Vivo Evaluation of Bioactive Compounds from Berries for Wound Healing
  • Literature Review

February 2024

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27 Reads

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7 Citations

Current Developments in Nutrition

Stefano Vendrame

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Tolu Alaba

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Natalie Marchi

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[...]

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Managing chronic wounds can be challenging and have a major impact on the quality of life, due to the significant financial and psychosocial burden on the affected individuals and their families. The need for safe, effective, and cost-efficient wound healing remedies has led to the identification of naturally occurring bioactive compounds with positive effects on tissue regeneration. Berry fruits are a promising source of such compounds and may therefore prove distinctively beneficial. Here, we present a qualitative review of the available evidence specifically investigating the effects of berry extracts on in vitro and in vivo models of wound healing. The evidence shows that a variety of berry extracts significantly promote wound healing through their antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties as well as their ability to stimulate collagen synthesis, re-epithelization, granulation, and vascularization pathways. However, data are still insufficient to pinpoint the differential effect that individual berries may have based on their nutrient and bioactive profile, the type and frequency of application, and the dosage required. Future research is needed in view of translating the available evidence into practice for clinical wound treatment.


Summary of findings related to blood pressure in berry intervention trials.
Cont.
The Role of Berry Consumption on Blood Pressure Regulation and Hypertension: An Overview of the Clinical Evidence
  • Literature Review
  • Full-text available

June 2022

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113 Reads

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15 Citations

The existence of a relationship between the consumption of dietary berries and blood pressure reduction in humans has been repeatedly hypothesized and documented by an increasing body of epidemiological and clinical evidence that has accumulated in recent years. However, results are mixed and complicated by a number of potentially confounding factors. The objective of this article is to review and summarize the available clinical evidence examining the effects of berry consumption on blood pressure regulation as well as the prevention or treatment of hypertension in humans, providing an overview of the potential contribution of distinctive berry polyphenols (anthocyanins, condensed tannins and ellagic acid), and results of dietary interventions with blueberries, bilberries, cranberries, raspberries, strawberries, chokeberries, cherries, blackcurrants and açai berries. We conclude that, while there is insufficient evidence supporting the existence of a direct blood pressure lowering effect, there is stronger evidence for specific types of berries acting indirectly to normalize blood pressure in subjects that are already hypertensive.

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Chapter 11. The Role of Berries and Their Bioactive Compounds on Obesity-induced Inflammation

June 2022

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31 Reads

The area of research on the health benefits of berries, their bioactive compounds and their related metabolites has exploded in the last 20 years resulting in new knowledge in the understanding of their metabolism, molecular mode of action as well as their clinical significance in promoting health and preventing chronic disease. Berries and Berry Bioactive Compounds in Promoting Health, reviews state-of-the-art research findings on this exponentially growing area. This comprehensive book brings together international experts in their corresponding fields with cutting-edge reviews. Exploring the effects and mechanisms of action of berry bioactive compounds and their metabolites on different body systems and chronic diseases, including their role on gut microbiota and eventual effect on health is the focus of this book. Unique topics covered, include the chemistry and analytical methods of detection of berry bioactive compounds, bioavailability, metabolism and factors that affect them including individual variability, their interaction with the gut microbiome, and their role and mechanism(s) of action on chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome and obesity-induced inflammation, and cancer as well as neuroprotection and wound healing. It will be of benefit to scientists conducting research in the area of berries and their bioactive compounds on health and disease and for health care professionals, nutritionists, dietitians and clinical researchers, nutraceutical and natural food product developers (industry) and food regulators.


Red raspberry (Rubus idaeus) consumption restores the impaired vasoconstriction and vasorelaxation in the aorta of the obese zucker rat, a model of the metabolic syndrome

November 2020

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41 Reads

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10 Citations

Journal of Berry Research

Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. Whole red raspberry (WRR) consumption on vascular function was investigated in the obese Zucker rat (OZR), model of MetS. Male OZR and their lean littermates (LZR) were placed on a control (C) or an 8% w/w WRR-enriched diet for 8 weeks. Phenylephrine (Phe)-induced vasoconstriction and acetylcholine (Ach)-induced vasorelaxation were measured in aortic rings in the presence or absence of L-N-monomethyl-arginine (L-NMMA) and mefenamic acid (MFA). Phe-induced vasoconstriction was lower in the OZR-C compared to LZR-C (p < 0.05). The WRR diet partially restored aortic response in the OZR-WRR aorta (p < 0.05) compared to OZR- C. The OZR-WRR group pre-treated with L-NMMA increased compared to OZR-C (p < 0.05). Pre-treatment with L-NMMA, maximal relaxation response was higher in the OZR compared to the LZR (p < 0.05). With L-NMMA, maximal relaxation response in OZR-WRR (p < 0.05) was lower compared to the OZR-C. Prostacyclin I2 concentration was higher in the OZR compared to the LZR (p < 0.05) and was attenuated in the OZR-WRR (p < 0.05). Aortic expression of eNOS and COX-2 were downregulated in the OZR-WRR (p < 0.05). In conclusion, WRR restores the impaired vascular tone of the OZR by enhancing Phe-induced vasoconstriction and attenuating Ach-induced vasorelaxation.


Whole Red Raspberry ( Rubus idaeus )-Enriched Diet Is Hepatoprotective in the Obese Zucker Rat, a Model of the Metabolic Syndrome

November 2020

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39 Reads

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8 Citations

Journal of Medicinal Food

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is a major risk factor of the metabolic syndrome (MetS). The effect of whole red raspberry (WRR) consumption on lipid metabolism was investigated in the obese Zucker rat (OZR), a model for the MetS. Male OZRs (n = 16) and their lean littermates (lean Zucker rat) (n = 16) at 8 weeks of age were placed on a control or an 8% WRR-enriched diet for 8 weeks. Plasma triglycerides (TGs), total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and non-HDL-C levels, and hepatic concentration of TG were measured. The expression of nine genes related to lipid metabolism was evaluated, both in liver and adipose tissue. A WRR-enriched diet reduced plasma cholesterol and HDL-C and increased plasma TG, while it decreased hepatic TG accumulation in the OZR. The OZR assigned to a WRR exhibited upregulation of microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (Mttp) and downregulation of fatty acid synthase (Fas) expression in the liver. Results showed a decrease in accumulation of liver TG and gene expression modulation of enzymes and transcription factors associated with lipid metabolism, suggesting a possible hepatoprotective role of a WRR-enriched diet.


Flow chart describing the literature search process. The literature search was conducted on PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Web of Science databases and limited to original clinical trials with human participants published after January 1st, 2005. One-hundred-and-thrity-five abstracts and full texts were reviewed. Eighty studies not reporting both ACN source and blood pressure markers were excluded. Eleven additional relevant studies were identified during the screening process from the reference lists, and were added to the review.
Summary of single dose interventions.
Summary of long-term interventions.
Cont.
Potential Factors Influencing the Effects of Anthocyanins on Blood Pressure Regulation in Humans: A Review

June 2019

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346 Reads

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50 Citations

Dietary intake of anthocyanins (ACNs) is associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular and coronary heart disease. While the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and lipid-lowering effects of ACN consumption have been consistently reported, their effect(s) on blood pressure regulation is less consistent and results from human studies are mixed. The objective of this review is attempting to identify potential patterns which may explain the variability in results related to blood pressure. To do so, we review 66 human intervention trials testing the effects on blood pressure of purified ACN or ACN-rich extracts, or whole berries, berry juices, powders, purees and whole phenolic extracts, from berries that are rich in ACN and have ACNs as predominant bioactives. Several factors appear to be involved on the mixed results reported. In particular, the baseline characteristics of the population in terms of blood pressure and total flavonoid intake, the dose and duration of the intervention, the differential effects of individual ACN and their synergistic effects with other phytochemicals, the ACN content and bioavailability from the food matrix, and individual differences in ACN absorption and metabolism related to genotype and microbiota enterotypes.


Red raspberry (Rubus idaeus) consumption attenuates inflammation in the obese Zucker rat, a model of the Metabolic Syndrome (OR24-01-19)

June 2019

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16 Reads

Current Developments in Nutrition

Objectives: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a major public health problem that is escalating quickly globally. MetS is defined as a combination of obesity, high blood pressure, high blood glucose, low high-density lipoprotein and high cholesterol resulting in a pro-thrombotic and pro-inflammatory state. This study investigated the effect of whole red raspberry (WRR) consumption on inflammation in the obese Zucker rat (OZR), a model of the MetS. Methods: At 8 weeks of age, male OZR (n = 16) and their lean littermates (LZR) (n = 16) were placed on a control (C) or an 8% w/w WRR-enriched diet for 8 weeks. Body weight and daily food consumption was measured. Circulating levels of inflammatory cytokines and their gene expression in the liver and adipose tissue (AT) were evaluated. Results: No significant differences were observed in body weight or food consumption between diet groups. Consumption of WRR significantly reduced the plasma level of pro-inflammatory molecule, C-reactive protein (CRP) in the OZR compared to OZR-C (1024 ± 108.74 μg/ml vs 4250 ± 1120.12 μg/ml, p < 0.05) respectively. Plasma levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), a pro-inflammatory cytokine decreased in the OZR consuming a WRR diet compared to the OZR-C (20.69 ± 1.41 pg/ml vs 50.50 ± 3.66 pg/ml, p < 0.0001) respectively. Following the consumption of WRR, the expression of pro-inflammatory molecules IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in the OZR significantly down-regulated (p < 0.01 and p < 0.05) respectively, in the AT. The expression of pro-inflammatory markers IL-6, TNF-α, and nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-ΚB) also significantly down-regulated (p < 0.01, p < 0.0001 and p < 0.05) respectively, following the consumption of WRR in the OZR compared to the OZR-C. Conclusions: The results from the present study demonstrate that daily consumption of WRR improves the pro-inflammatory state associated with MetS. Funding sources: National Processed Raspberry CouncilUSDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture HatchFutureCeuticals (Momence, IL USA).


Effect of short term hazelnut consumption on DNA damage and oxidized-LDL in children and adolescents with primary hyperlipidemia: a randomised controlled trial

March 2018

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66 Reads

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28 Citations

The Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry

Children with primary hyperlipidemia are prone to develop premature atherosclerosis, possibly associated with increased oxidative stress. Nutritional therapy is the primary strategy in the treatment of hyperlipidemia and associated conditions. Dietary interventions with bioactive-rich foods, such as nuts, may contribute to the modulation of both lipid profile and the oxidative/antioxidant status. Our study aimed to assess the impact of a dietary intervention with hazelnuts on selected oxidative stress markers in children and adolescents with primary hyperlipidemia. A single blind, 8-week, randomized, controlled, three-arm, parallel-group study was performed. Children and adolescents diagnosed with primary hyperlipidemia (n=60) received dietary guidelines and were randomized into three groups: group 1 received hazelnuts with skin (HZN + S), and group 2 hazelnuts without skin (HZN-S), at equivalent doses (15–30 g/day, based on body weight); group 3 (controls) received only dietary recommendations (no nuts). At baseline and after 8 weeks, plasma oxidized LDL (ox-LDL) concentrations, oxidative levels of DNA damage in lymphocytes, and potential correlation with changes in serum lipids were examined. A reduction of endogenous DNA damage by 18.9±51.3% (P=.002) and 23.1±47.9% (P=.007) was observed after HZN + S and HZN-S, respectively. Oxidatively-induced DNA strand breaks decreased by 16.0±38.2% (P=.02) following HZN + S treatment. Ox-LDL levels did not change after HZN + S intervention, but positively correlated with total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). A short-term hazelnut intervention improves cell DNA protection and resistance against oxidative stress but not ox-LDL in hyperlipidemic pediatric patients. The trial was registered at ISRCTN.com, ID no. ISRCTN12261900.


Berry Fruit Consumption and Metabolic Syndrome

September 2016

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282 Reads

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110 Citations

Antioxidants

Metabolic Syndrome is a cluster of risk factors which often includes central obesity, dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, glucose intolerance, hypertension, endothelial dysfunction, as well as a pro-inflammatory, pro-oxidant, and pro-thrombotic environment. This leads to a dramatically increased risk of developing type II diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease, which is the leading cause of death both in the United States and worldwide. Increasing evidence suggests that berry fruit consumption has a significant potential in the prevention and treatment of most risk factors associated with Metabolic Syndrome and its cardiovascular complications in the human population. This is likely due to the presence of polyphenols with known antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, such as anthocyanins and/or phenolic acids. The present review summarizes the findings of recent dietary interventions with berry fruits on human subjects with or at risk of Metabolic Syndrome. It also discusses the potential role of berries as part of a dietary strategy which could greatly reduce the need for pharmacotherapy, associated with potentially deleterious side effects and constituting a considerable financial burden.


Wild blueberry consumption attenuates local inflammation in the perivascular adipose tissue of obese Zucker rats

September 2016

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40 Reads

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15 Citations

Perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) has been shown to play important roles in regulating vascular tone and linking local and systemic vascular inflammation. We examined the impact of PVAT on phenylephrine-mediated vasoconstriction in the aorta of obese Zucker rats (OZR) and their lean littermates (LZR) by comparing aortic rings with or without PVAT. Subsequently we placed OZR and LZR on a control (C) or an 8% wild blueberry (WB) diet and evaluated the effect of WB consumption on such response. PVAT-released adipokine concentrations were also measured as a function of WB diet. Maximal constrictor force (Fmax) in aortic rings without PVAT was significantly lower in OZR-C compared with LZR-C (0.41 ± 0.05 and 0.71 ± 0.06 g, respectively). Following WB diet, Fmax significantly increased in OZR (0.54 ± 0.06 g). In aortas with intact PVAT, Fmax was significantly lower in all groups (0.31 ± 0.06 OZR-C, 0.30 ± 0.05 OZR-WB, 0.29 ± 0.03 LZR-C, and 0.30 ± 0.04 g LZR-WB), but no difference was observed between treatments. PVAT concentrations of monocyte chemoactractant protein 1 (MCP-1), tumor necrosis factor alpha, and adiponectin were significantly higher in OZR compared with LZR (+102%, +108%, and +45%, respectively). Following WB diet, PVAT concentrations of interleukin-8 were significantly lower in both OZR (–37%) and LZR (–30%), while adiponectin concentrations significantly increased in both OZR (+11%) and LZR (+16%). MCP-1 concentrations significantly decreased (–31%) in the PVAT of OZR with the WB diet. WB consumption appears to attenuate local inflammation in PVAT, which may impact systemic vascular inflammation and endothelial function.


Citations (24)


... Elderberry anthocyanins mainly consist of cyanidin-sambubiosides and cyanidin-glucosides (90.1% of identified anthocyanins) [34]. Anthocyanin content is the highest in elderberry, which has potent antioxidant and radical scavenging activity, and due to these properties, they have potential in wound healing [35][36][37] and other applications [38]. Remarkably, elderberries possess the immune-stimulating potential and improved functions under a SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, i.e., these fruits are not toxic in therapeutic doses but need control because of probable cytokine overproduction [39]. ...

Reference:

Halochromic Bacterial Cellulose/Anthocyanins Hybrid Polymer Film with Wound-Healing Potential
In Vitro and In Vivo Evaluation of Bioactive Compounds from Berries for Wound Healing
  • Citing Article
  • February 2024

Current Developments in Nutrition

... 1,21 In this regard, some earlier studies have reported that highbush and lowbush blueberries, bilberries, and wild blueberries lowered blood pressure in human studies. 31 Moreover, mechanistic studies and detailed phytochemical analyses should be conducted to elucidate the active compounds and their interactions, thereby validating the therapeutic potential of these berries in managing hypertension. ...

The Role of Berry Consumption on Blood Pressure Regulation and Hypertension: An Overview of the Clinical Evidence

... Besides controlling lipid metabolism, the activation of both PPARa and PPARg also has a strong anti-inflammatory effect, probably via the down-regulation of NF-kB activity (31) . Indeed, we have previously documented that a WB diet resulted in a significant attenuation of the expression of NF-kB in the liver of both LZR and OZR and decreased the levels of inflammation as measured by circulating concentrations and genetic expression of inflammatory markers including IL-6 and TNFa (32) . ...

Wild Blueberry consumption markedly attenuates concentration and expression of inflammatory markers in the obese Zucker rat
  • Citing Article
  • April 2012

The FASEB Journal

... Reduction in blood pressure (higher with high dose), MDA (with high dose), plasma endothelin (with high dose) Increase in nitric oxide (with low dose) and superoxide dismutase levels [78] MetS rat models Freeze-dried powder Supplementation of the equivalent of 1 and ½ cups of fresh fruit in humans, daily for 8 weeks Improvement in aorta vasoconstriction and vasorelaxation [116] Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) n.f. AC = anthocyanins; n.f. ...

Red raspberry (Rubus idaeus) consumption restores the impaired vasoconstriction and vasorelaxation in the aorta of the obese zucker rat, a model of the metabolic syndrome
  • Citing Article
  • November 2020

Journal of Berry Research

... The fruit of the raspberry contains compounds, including terpenes, alkaloids, steroids, fatty acids, and polyphenols (Chen et al., 2023). Pharmacological studies indicate that raspberry fruits possess antioxidant (Song et al., 2020), blood glucose-lowering (Ha, 2014), lipid-lowering (Piña-Contreras et al., 2022), liver-protective (VandenAkker et al., 2021), anticancer (Huang et al., 2017), and antibacterial (Krauze- Baranowska et al., 2014) effects. Research into the bioactive components of raspberry root and their pharmacological effects remains limited. ...

Whole Red Raspberry ( Rubus idaeus )-Enriched Diet Is Hepatoprotective in the Obese Zucker Rat, a Model of the Metabolic Syndrome
  • Citing Article
  • November 2020

Journal of Medicinal Food

... Anthocyanins are water-soluble compounds that belong to the flavonoid family and are responsible for the red and blue colouring of various plant species (Alappat & Alappat, 2020). These compounds also confer the fruit beneficial health properties because they have been shown to help prevent different illnesses, such as heart disease (Vendrame & Klimis-Zacas, 2019) or diabetes (Solverson, 2020). Of blood orange varieties, 'Moro' has been reported to have the highest anthocyanin content (Kafkas et al., 2009), with concentrations over 200 mg/L (Rapisarda et al., 2022). ...

Potential Factors Influencing the Effects of Anthocyanins on Blood Pressure Regulation in Humans: A Review

... At last, in the study conducted by Guaraldi et al. (2018), Italian hazelnuts (Corylus avellana L.' Tonda Gentile delle Langhe') were administered either peeled or unpeeled (HZN-S and HZN+S, respectively) to assess potential differences in the antioxidant properties associated with hazelnut skin. The research followed a single-blind, 8-week, randomized, controlled, three-arm, parallel-group design. ...

Effect of short term hazelnut consumption on DNA damage and oxidized-LDL in children and adolescents with primary hyperlipidemia: a randomised controlled trial
  • Citing Article
  • March 2018

The Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry

... Regarding specific food groups, regular consumption of fruits and vegetables generally reduces serum CRP levels [30]. In patients with metabolic syndrome, cruciferous vegetables are linked to lower plasma CRP content [31], while regular berry intake decreases CRP, IL-6, and circulating vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 content, a biomarker of vascular damage [32]. In overweight and obese individuals, whole grains reduce TNF-α levels, and legume intake lowers serum CRP and other metabolic dysfunction markers [29]. ...

Berry Fruit Consumption and Metabolic Syndrome

Antioxidants

... 50 Wild blueberry consumption also attenuated local inflammation in the aortic perivascular adipose tissue, as evidenced by reduced concentrations of IL-8 and MCP-1 and increased adiponectin levels. 51 Given the promising anti-inflammatory potential of berry bioactives also in obesity conditions, the aim of the present work was to review the available clinical evidence on the role of berry fruit consumption in attenuating chronic inflammation in overweight and obese individuals. ...

Wild blueberry consumption attenuates local inflammation in the perivascular adipose tissue of obese Zucker rats

... [3,4] Given the high concentration of beneficial phytochemicals, blueberries have become a superfood, and investigations into their health benefits are widespread within the current literature. [5][6][7][8][9] Understanding the phytochemical makeup of the blueberry samples is equally as important as understanding the effects of these phytochemicals. ...

Wild blueberries attenuate risk factors of the metabolic syndrome

Journal of Berry Research