An Apple A Day...

Scientists Have Now Discovered

Anti-Inflammatory Polyphenols
In Apple Peels...

New research shows that oral ingestion of apple polyphenols (antioxidants found in apple peels) can suppress T cell activation to prevent colitis in laboratory subjects.

According to new research findings published in the Journal of Leukocyte Biology, oral ingestion of apple polyphenols (antioxidants found in apple peels) can suppress T cell activation to prevent colitis inlaboratory subjects.

This study demonstartes a role for T cells in polyphenol-mediated protection against an autoimmune disease and could lead to new therapies and treatments for people with disorders related to bowel inflammation, such as ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease and colitis-associated colorectal cancer.

"Many people with colitis use some form of dietary supplement to complement most conventional therapies, explained researchers from the Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases at Montana State University in Bozeman, Montana."

Our results show that a natural product found in apple peels can suppress colonic inflammation by antagonizing inflammatory T cells to help enhance resistance against autoimmune disease."

To make this discovery, scientists used a chemically induced model of colitis with Dextran sulfate sodium (DSS), researchers administered an oral placebo to one group of subjects, and the other group was given an oral dose of apple polyphenols every day during the course of the disease.

Results showed that the subjects treated orally with apple polyphenols were protected from colitis. Importantly, scientists also found that the treated subjects had fewer activated T

cells in their colons. In those lacking T cells, apple polyphenols were unable to protect against colitis or suppress proinflammatory cytokine expression, indicating apple polyphenols protect against colitis via the suppression of T cell activation and/or recruitment.

"In addition to the obvious health benefits of the nutrients and fiber in fruits and vegetables, this study indicates that even something as relatively common as the apple contains other healthy ingredients that can have serious therapeutic value." concluded the research team members.

Story Source: Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology

Journal Reference: Apple polyphenols require T cells to ameliorate dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis and dampen proinflammatory cytokine expression. Journal of Leukocyte

Biology, 2011;

Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology

(2011, November 30).

"Scientists discover anti-inflammatory polyphenols in apple peels."