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BMC Medicine
Published in: BMC Medicine 1/2010

Open Access 01-12-2010 | Research article

Blood cell gene expression associated with cellular stress defense is modulated by antioxidant-rich food in a randomised controlled clinical trial of male smokers

Authors: Siv K Bøhn, Mari C Myhrstad, Magne Thoresen, Marit Holden, Anette Karlsen, Siv Haugen Tunheim, Iris Erlund, Mette Svendsen, Ingebjørg Seljeflot, Jan Ø Moskaug, Asim K Duttaroy, Petter Laake, Harald Arnesen, Serena Tonstad, Andrew Collins, Christan A Drevon, Rune Blomhoff

Published in: BMC Medicine | Issue 1/2010

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Abstract

Background

Plant-based diets rich in fruit and vegetables can prevent development of several chronic age-related diseases. However, the mechanisms behind this protective effect are not elucidated. We have tested the hypothesis that intake of antioxidant-rich foods can affect groups of genes associated with cellular stress defence in human blood cells. Trial registration number: NCT00520819 http://​clinicaltrials.​gov.

Methods

In an 8-week dietary intervention study, 102 healthy male smokers were randomised to either a diet rich in various antioxidant-rich foods, a kiwifruit diet (three kiwifruits/d added to the regular diet) or a control group. Blood cell gene expression profiles were obtained from 10 randomly selected individuals of each group. Diet-induced changes on gene expression were compared to controls using a novel application of the gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) on transcription profiles obtained using Affymetrix HG-U133-Plus 2.0 whole genome arrays.

Results

Changes were observed in the blood cell gene expression profiles in both intervention groups when compared to the control group. Groups of genes involved in regulation of cellular stress defence, such as DNA repair, apoptosis and hypoxia, were significantly upregulated (GSEA, FDR q-values < 5%) by both diets compared to the control group. Genes with common regulatory motifs for aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) and AhR nuclear translocator (AhR/ARNT) were upregulated by both interventions (FDR q-values < 5%). Plasma antioxidant biomarkers (polyphenols/carotenoids) increased in both groups.

Conclusions

The observed changes in the blood cell gene expression profiles suggest that the beneficial effects of a plant-based diet on human health may be mediated through optimization of defence processes.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Blood cell gene expression associated with cellular stress defense is modulated by antioxidant-rich food in a randomised controlled clinical trial of male smokers
Authors
Siv K Bøhn
Mari C Myhrstad
Magne Thoresen
Marit Holden
Anette Karlsen
Siv Haugen Tunheim
Iris Erlund
Mette Svendsen
Ingebjørg Seljeflot
Jan Ø Moskaug
Asim K Duttaroy
Petter Laake
Harald Arnesen
Serena Tonstad
Andrew Collins
Christan A Drevon
Rune Blomhoff
Publication date
01-12-2010
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Medicine / Issue 1/2010
Electronic ISSN: 1741-7015
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1741-7015-8-54

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