Laboratory News & BioScience October 2016

NEW ZEALAND LABORATORY NEWS | NEW ZEALAND BIOSCIENCE
VOL. 25 NO. 5 | OCTOBER 2016
Boysenberries may be of benefit to asthma sufferers
Globally it is estimated that 150 million
people are affected by asthma,
with children making up around 10
percent of sufferers. In New Zealand, one
of every nine adults and every seven children
are prescribed asthma medication.
New research suggests that regular Boysenberry
consumption may improve lung
function by reducing symptoms associated
with inflammation of the airways, which
can cause conditions such as asthma.
Previous studies have found that lung
function can be improved by consuming
fruits which contain high levels of antioxidant
compounds known as polyphenols,
although the underlying mechanisms behind
this are largely unknown.
Through their investigations with berryfruits,
scientists at Plant & Food Research,
working in collaboration with the
Malaghan Institute of Medical Research,
have made new discoveries on the role
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polyphenols play in reducing the effects of
asthma and chronic airway inflammation.
The MBIE-funded research examined
two key agents associated with regulating
lung inflammation: arginase, closely linked
with decreased inflammation in asthma;
and matrix metalloproteinase-9, associated
with improved tissue remodelling.
“We’ve seen some really exciting results
from this recent study,” says Plant & Food
Research Science Group Leader, Dr Roger
Hurst. “Our results suggest that Boysenberry
consumption may help protect the lungs
and associated airways from the chronic
buildup of damaged and scar tissue.
“These agents appear to support an environment
capable of reducing scar tissue
deposits on the lungs.”
The research also observed structural
improvements in the lungs through the
activation of specific immune cell types
which are known to assist tissue repair and
retention of normal lung function.
These findings provide the first evidence
that Boysenberry consumption
could be used to support the body’s natural
defences and potentially reduce negative
physical effects on the lungs caused
by asthma and other chronic pulmonary
conditions.
This research has been published in
American Journal of Physiology: Lung
Cellular and Molecular Physiology, a top
ten ranked journal on respiratory systems.
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