Consumption of whole aronia berry powder inhibits adoptive transfer-induced colitis in mice

BackgroundAronia berries are rich in polyphenols which may inhibit inflammation by modulating gut immunocyte function. However, the mechanisms responsible for this effect is unclear. ObjectiveTo identify the effects of aronia consumption on intestinal inflammation and T cell populations in the mouse adoptive transfer model of colitis. DesignRecombinase activating gene (RAG)−/− mice were obtained at 4 wk age and were acclimatized for 2 weeks prior to experiments. Live CD4+CD45RBhigh cells were obtained by magnetic activated cell sorting (MACS) from gender and age-matched syngeneic C57BL6 mice and transferred to RAG1−/− mice by intraperitoneal (IP) injection. Injected RAG1−/− mice were randomly assigned to receive a control or 4.5% w/w lyophilized ‘Viking’ aronia berry supplemented diet (n = 21/group). A negative control group of RAG−/− mice were injected with sterile phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) as the sham group (n = 21). Body weight (BW) and food intake were recorded twice a week. Groups of mice were ...