The Effect Of 6-Weeks Daily Blueberry Powder Ingestion On Plasma Antioxidant Capacity And Oxidative Damage In Relationship To Sarcopenia

Sarcopenia is a loss of muscle associated with reduced physical capacity. Muscle undergoes inflammation followed by rebuilding after weight lifting. This is known as the muscle regenerative stimulus (MRS). Blueberries contain anti-inflammatories and could enhance anti-inflammatory responses associated with weight training. Combining these two regimens may combat sarcopenia. Twenty-one participants 60+ were randomized into blueberry (BB) or placebo (PLA) groups and given 6-wks of blueberry powder or a placebo. Visit 1 consisted of a medical screen, diet instruction, anthropometric measurements, and blood draw. Visit 2, 6-wks afterwards, included anthropometric measurements, diet history, and blood samples. Visit 3, 24-hrs following the MRS, involved obtaining final blood samples. Blood was analyzed for ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP), a measure of antioxidant capacity, and F2-isoprostanes, a measure of lipid peroxidation. No differences were observed between groups for age or anthropometric measures. FRAP and F2-Isoprostanes were not significantly different between BB or PLA. Pre-BB vitamin C and selenium were higher vs. PLA but did not affect FRAP. Blueberry powder, as given for 6-wks, does not alter FRAP or F2-Isoprostanes in an older population. Blueberry metabolites capable of exerting antioxidant effects may be short-lived. Future research should focus on acute supplementation effects.