Red Sweet Cherry Ameliorates Inflammation in Obese Diabetic (db/db) Mice

We studied the possible protective effect of cherry intake on metabolic syndrome and diabetes complications using the obese diabetic (db/db) mouse model. Mice (4–5 week old) were fed an agar-based AIN-93G diet supplemented with 0 (obese control), 5 or 10% cherry powder. Corn starch replaced cherry powder to maintain isocaloric content of the diets. In addition, a lean group fed same diet as obese control served as the lean control. At the end of 12 weeks, mice were euthanized; blood and organs were collected to analyze endpoint biomarkers of disease and inflammation using standard analytical protocols. Food intake, body mass index (BMI), body weight, and fasting blood glucose were similar among obese, 5% and 10% cherry groups and were higher than the lean group (p < 0.05). These results are consistent with liver, kidney, and heart weights and with mesenteric and epididymal fat. However, cecum tissue weight was higher (p < 0.05) in 10% cherry (0.3 ± 0.1 g/animal) compared to obese, lean, and 5% cherry grou...