Scientists have found anti-inflammatory properties in apples
Last reviewed: 16.10.2021
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Scientists have found one more reason to include apples in the daily diet - polyphenols-antioxidants contained in the skin of apples that suppress excessive activity of T cells, which prevents the development of inflammatory processes in the intestine.
This study is the first of its kind to show the importance of T cells and polyphenols in protecting against the development of autoimmune diseases and can lead to the development of new treatments for disorders associated with inflammation of the intestine such as ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, and colitis associated with with colorectal cancer.
The study is published in the Journal of Leukocyte Biology.
"Many people with colitis use some form of dietary supplements in addition to conventional therapy, but most of the information about the health consequences of alternative medicine remains anecdotal." In addition, we know little about how these methods work and whether they work at all , said study author David V. Pascual from Montana State University.-Our results show that a natural apple peel component can suppress inflammation in the large intestine by reducing the activity of inflammatory T cells, o acts as a prophylaxis for the development of autoimmune diseases. "
During the study, scientists used mice with chemically induced colitis with dextran sodium sulfate (DSS). One group of mice received a placebo, and another - a dose of apple polyphenols was given every day for the whole of the disease. The results showed that mice that received orally administered apple polyphenols were protected from colitis, and the number of T cells in the intestine was significantly reduced.
To confirm the effect of polyphenols, scientists conducted an experiment on a group of genetically modified mice lacking T cells. The antioxidant intake had no protective effect on the intestine, and the subjects developed colitis over time, indicating that apple polyphenols can protect against colitis only by suppressing activation of T cells.
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