Postprandial inflammatory responses and plasma-free fatty acids: effects of blueberry intake (1034.6)

We studied whether a high-fat (HF) meal-induced postprandial (PP) lipemia affects inflammatory responses in blood monocytes, and whether blueberry intake suppresses the PP inflammatory responses in healthy human subjects. A HF breakfast increased PP plasma triglycerides and insulin, but non-esterified free fatty acid (NEFA) levels were decreased compared to fasting levels. TNF-α , IL-6 and IL-8 in PP plasma were decreased compared to fasting levels. Cytokine and NEFA levels in PP plasma were not affected by blueberry intake. To determine whether endogenous NEFAs derived from the HF diet stimulate monocyte activation, whole blood or peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were treated with lipoprotein lipase (LPL). LPL treatment of whole blood increased NEFA levels and secretion of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α. IL-1β in LPL-treated PP whole blood was elevated compared to fasting control. Blueberry intake suppressed IL-1β and IL-6 production without affecting levels of NEFAs released in LPL-treated PP blood whe...