Abstract

Inflammation is a natural defense mechanism triggered as a response to an alteration of the physiological functions of the organism. This process is responsible for the secretion of mediators crucial for tissues repair, integrating different signalling pathways between distinct cells and organs. Likewise, it has been observed that in metabolic diseases some classic mediators present during short-term inflammation are involved, although the features of its actions differ from the classic pathways. Thus it is considered as a subclass of inflammation often referred as metainflammation. In the case of obesity for example, this response is exacerbated and, at the long term, a chronic inflammatory state associated with cardiovascular diseases, insulin resistance and type-2 diabetes development is established. Since obesity-associated inflammation is known to be a key feature of the etiology of non-communicable diseases, several efforts have been made for identifying novel agents with antiinflammatory properties capable of ameliorate its negative long-term effects. In this regard, blueberry consumption has been described to induce important health benefits through anti-inflammatory and antioxidant features. Therefore, in the present chapter, we will discuss the impact on the low-grade inflammatory status associated to metabolic diseases provided by a blueberry treatment or diet, previously described in the literature. In this context, will be addressed: a) in vitro studies over inflammation in macrophages and changes in adipogenesis; b) in vivo studies over pro-oxidant and inflammatory status, related to amelioration of insulin resistance, hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, hyperphagia and weight gain induced by a high fat feeding, and improvement of blood pressure, renal function and beta cell function; and c) human clinical evidence, over antioxidant defense mechanisms and inflammation, influencing blood pressure and insulin sensitivity in susceptible subjects. In this sense, recent findings supports that a blueberries-rich diet has been able to modulate the inflammatory status in a positive manner, likewise exerting its effects in different crucial stages of metabolic alterations development and hence contributing to the prevention and reduction of obesity-associated comorbidities. It is still pending to deepen into the cellular and molecular mechanisms in order to take advantage from a commercially-available fruit for improve human life quality.