High-dose Polyphenol-rich Nutrition Improves Lipid and Inflammation Profiles and Triggers Apoptotic Signaling in Healthy Elderly People (the ErdBEHR Study)

Abstract

AbstractNutritional interventions in healthy individuals may be particularly informative if high, but not excessive, amounts of specific healthy foods are taken to maximize effects without sacrificing safety. We hypothesized that high amounts of polyphenols taken on single days may eliminate senescent blood cells. We conducted a ten-week parallel-group controlled randomized open trial with an escalation of consumption, up to ∼4kg fresh strawberries weekly, plus 200g dried strawberries and 240g capers in olive oil on three single “seno-intervention” days, in 168 healthy elderly people aged 50-80 years. Two primary endpoints, LDL cholesterol and high sensitive CRP, were prespecified. We found a significant decline in LDL cholesterol, and in CRP by ∼50% in all groups with seno-intervention days (limited to participants with increased baseline values). LDL levels were reduced by 0.0174 mmol/L for any single 500g-increment in the weekly fresh strawberry intake of the average participant. Gene expression analyses of whole blood suggested improvement of mitochondrial and immunological function, suppression of inflammation (in high-intervention groups), and positive regulation of apoptotic signaling (in the highest-intervention group). Overall, a medium-term nutritional intervention improved lipid and inflammation status, and provided specific hints for apoptotic/senolytic effects.Key findingsHigh-dose polyphenol-rich nutrition improves LDL and CRP levels in healthy elderlyAt highest dose, gene expression data highlight “positive regulation of apoptotic signaling”A clear dose-response pattern based on an escalating intervention design