Metabolic syndrome symptoms are reduced in C57BL/6J mice fed high‐fat diets supplemented with apple and cherry extracts, quercetin, and ellagic acid (121.2)

We are evaluating metabolic improvements and gene expression changes in mice fed phytochemicals present in apples, sweet cherries, and polyphenol‐rich extracts derived from these fruits. Polyphenol‐rich extracts were produced by solid phase extraction and column chromatography. Extracts and purified compounds were mixed into a high‐fat (60% of total kcal) obesigenic rodent diet and fed to C57BL/6J mice along with low‐fat and high‐fat control diets. Mice fed the high‐fat control diet became obese and lost normal glucose control. Mice fed high‐fat diets containing these extracts and purified compounds exhibited improved metabolic parameters compared to mice fed the high‐fat control diet. For example, after a 6‐week feeding period, high fat‐fed mice provided quercetin (Q) or ellagic acid (EA) in their diet gained 17% and 12% less body fat, respectively (P< 0.05) despite consuming equal amounts of diet. Apple (AE)‐ and cherry extract (CE)‐fed mice gained 30% and 12% less body fat, respectively (P<0.05), again with no reduction in food intake. Six‐hour fasted blood glucose levels were measured and AE‐, CE‐, Q‐, and EA‐supplemented HF‐fed, these mice had lower baseline blood glucose levels and both AE‐ and Q‐supplemented mice had reduced area under the curve (glucose x time) in a 2‐hour glucose tolerance test (P < 0.05). Compounds present in apples and cherries including quercetin and ellagic acid appear to be producing beneficial metabolic effects in this model of metabolic disease. Grant Funding Source : Blue Mountain Horticultural Society