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The therapeutic effects of tart cherry anthocyanins cannot be understood without analysis of their tissue distribution,metabolism, and excretion. The definition of bioavailability simply refers to the proportion of known compound that is absorbed and metabolised in an organism. Tissue uptake of anthocyanins may depend on their chemical structure, as influenced by the nature of the attached sugar moiety, and also, by the structure of the aglycone. The parent phytochemicals contain functional groups (e.g., a hydroxyl group) that often undergo conjugation reactions with endogenous compounds to yield more polar and water-soluble compounds. The latter are usually ideal substrates for active transport out of cells, tissues, and organs with eventual excretion from the body. The sugar conjugates of anthocyanins may also have an effect on the bioavailability of bioactive phytochemicals. Consequently, it is not only important to know how much of a bioactive metabolite is present in tart cherry; but it is even more ...

In this investigation, two species of Crataegus (hawthorn) were chosen because their polyphenolic constituents have recently received greater attention for the treatment of patients with severe heart disease. One-year-old plants of hawthorn (Crataegus laevigata and C. monogyna) were subjected to water-deficit (continuous water deprivation), cold (4 degrees C), flooding (immersion of roots of plants in water) or herbivory (leaf removal) stress treatments (each of 10 days duration) in order to assess their effects on levels of polyphenolics, namely (-)-epicatechin, catechin, chlorogenic acid, vitexin, vitexin-2"-O-rhamnoside, acetylvitexin-2"-O-rhamnoside, hyperoside, quercetin, and rutin in the leaves. The working hypothesis followed is that one or more of these stress treatment will elicit increases in the levels of these polyphenolics. Cold stress causes increases in levels of vitexin-2"-O-rhamnoside, acetylvitexin-2"-O-rhamnoside, hyperoside, and quercetin in both Crataegus species. Water-deficit stress increased the productivity of chlorogenic acid, catechin, and (-)-epicatechin in both hawthorn species. Flooding and herbivory caused no net increases, and in some cases, decreases in levels of polyphenolics. These studies indicate that either water-deficit stress or cold stress treatments, or a combination of the two, can be used to enhance the levels of desired polyphenolics in the leaves of these two hawthorn species in a photobioreactor system. These results may have significance for hawthorn in adapting to water-deficit or cold stress and are important considerations for the use of hawthorn in the treatment of heart disease in humans.

Mitral regurgitation (MR) is a frequent complication of end-stage heart failure. Historically, these patients were either managed medically or with mitral valve replacement, both associated with poor outcomes. Mitral valve repair via an 'undersized' annuloplasty repair is safe and effectively corrects MR in heart-failure patients. All of the observed changes contribute to reverse remodeling and restoration of the normal left-ventricular geometric relationship. Mitral valve repair offers a new strategy for patients with MR and end-stage heart failure.

The present study compares concentrations of medicinally important isoflavones in seeds versus seedlings of 20 selected peanut genotypes derived from widely different geographic sources and compares the total isoflavone concentrations in peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) with those present in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] and kudzu [Pueraria montana (Lour.) Merr.]. Results of analyses of 20 different peanut genotypes showed that wide variation occurs in isoflavone concentrations both in peanut seeds and peanut seedlings; that peanut seedlings possess 0.8-fold to 27-fold higher concentrations of isoflavones than peanut seeds; that peanut seeds and seedlings possess little or no genistein; that peanut seeds contain one-half the concentrations of isoflavones as soybean seeds, and soybean seedlings contain four times higher concentrations of isoflavones than peanut seedlings; and that kudzu seeds and seedlings, in contrast, contain significantly higher concentrations of isoflavones than either peanut or soybean seeds and seedlings. In conclusion, because peanut seedlings and sprouts are better sources of isoflavones than peanut seeds, we recommend that the former be grown as a vegetable so as to use them in our diet as a good source of isoflavones. Furthermore, the wide variation in isoflavone concentrations in different peanut genotypes, as shown in this study, could be exploited by plant breeders as an easy and reasonable production strategy.

Epidemiology data show that anthocyanin intake reduces stroke mortality. Anthocyanins can activate PPAR isoforms, but PPAR agonist drugs can increase stroke risk. Tart cherries are a rich source of...

Idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) is a poorly understood disorder characterized by a markedly elevated peripheral blood eosinophil count in the absence of known associated causes of hypereosinophilia. Idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome is associated with eosinophil-induced organ damage, including endomyocardial and pulmonary fibrosis, stroke, and gastrointestinal disease. Treatment of idiopathic HES is centered on the reduction of peripheral circulating eosinophils in an effort to diminish tissue infiltration and destruction. Multiple cytotoxic agents have been tried, with variable resutts. Prednisone and hydroxyurea have remained the therapies of choice in long term treatment of idiopathic HES. We report here the successful 2 year treatment of aggressive idiopathic HES, refractory to hyroxyurea and prednisone, with α-interferon. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Epidemiologic data suggest that anthocyanin intake is inversely related to cardiac mortality. In animals, intake of anthocyanin-rich tart cherries reduces cardiovascular risk factors, but the speci...

Systemic immunosuppression frequently results in severe side effects. To evaluate a method of limiting the adverse effects of immunosuppression, we implanted controlled release matrices containing cyclosporine-A (Cy) embedded (0.2 or 1 mg/kg/day released), steroid embedded (2%, 0.2% and 0.02% dexamethasone, Dex) or both (Cy 0.2 mg and Dex 0.2%) locally around the transplanted heart at the time of rat heterotopic (neck) heart transplants. Controls received empty (non-drug) matrix implants. To elucidate a local effect, additional groups received Cy (0.2 mg) or Dex (0.2%) matrix implanted in a subdermal distal leg pouch at the time of heart transplant, without a local neck implant. Rejection was determined by the lack of transplanted heart contractions. Recipient animals received no other form of immunosuppression. The Cy (0.2 mg) animals had whole-blood Cy levels monitored for 6 weeks following transplantation. Cy levels peaked at 7–10 days after transplant (119 ± 26 ng/ml) and decayed to 9,000 ng/mg). Furthermore, while low-dose Cy (0.2 mg) demonstrated significant survival benefit, these animals had clinically negligible blood Cy levels on day 6 (

Background: Left ventricular (LV) false chordae tendinae (false chords) have been implicated as a source of idiopathic left (IL) ventricular tachycardia (VT). However, it is unknown whether pretest bias contributes to an apparent association with disease. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of false chords on direct inspection of the LV endocardium. Methods: In a prospective series, 75 hearts were examined to identify and characterize false chords, including 20 specimens examined at autopsy and 55 consecutive patients undergoing mitral valve surgery. Medical records were reviewed for history of VT, including ILVT. Results: Of 75 patients whose hearts were studied, none had a history of ILVT and only 5 had a history of any VT. False chords were present in 34 of 75 (45%) hearts, including 13 of 20 (65%) at postmortem and 21 of 55 (38%) examined at surgery (P = 0.07). The prevalence of false chords was not different among patients with (3 of 5 [60%]) versus those without (31 of 70 [44% p = 0.65]) a history of VT (P = 0.65). Conclusions: In this prospective anatomic series, the prevalence of LV false chords on autopsy and surgical inspection was approximately 45% among patients without ILVT. Previously reported associations of false chords with ILVT likely underestimated the prevalence of false chords in a normal population. (PACE 2007; 30:S156‐S159)