Xianli Wu, Ph.D.

Research Assistant Professor
Department of Physiology & Biophysics
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences

Investigator
Arkansas Children’s Nutrition Center

15 Children’s Way
Little Rock, AR 72202
501-364-2813

wuxianli@uams.edu

Education

  • Ph.D., China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China, 2000

Training

  • Post-Doctoral Fellow, 2001-2005, UAMS

Research Interests

The primary research interests in our group are the analysis, bioavailability and disease preventive effects of dietary phytochemicals. Currently, the main focus is the athero-protective effects of berry phytochemicals and the underlying mechanisms. Cardiovascular diseases remain to be the leading causes of death in the United States. It has long been recognized that a diet rich in fruits and vegetables have beneficial effects on cardiovascular diseases. By working with animal models such as apoE deficient mice, we are studying the early nutritional intervention of berries (e.g. blueberry) and the preventive effects against development of atherosclerosis. We are also working to understand the underlying mechanisms by using various of analytical and molecular biological approaches. In addition, by collaborating with other PIs in our center, our lab is also involved in developing analytical procedures in identification and quantification of disease markers as well as identification of bioactive components.

Recent Publications

  • Xie, C., Kang, J., Li, Z., Schauss, A. G., Badger, T. M., Nagarajan, S., Wu, T., Wu, X.  The açaí flavonoid velutin is a potent anti-inflammatory agent: Blockade of LPS-mediated TNF-α and IL-6 production through inhibiting NF-κB activation and MAPK pathway. Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry. 2011 (in press).
  • Xie, C., Kang, J., Ferguson, M. E., Nagarajan, S., Badger, T. M., Wu. X.  Blueberries reduce pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-α and IL-6 production in mouse macrophages by inhibiting NF-κB activation and the MAPK pathway. Molecular Nutrition and Food Research. 2011, 55: 1587-1591.
  • Xie, C., Kang, J., Chen, J. R., Lazarenko, O. P., Ferguson, M. E., Badger, T. M., Nagarajan, S., Wu, X.  Blueberries inhibit scavenger receptors CD36 and SR-A expression and attenuate foam cell formation in apoE-deficient mice. Food & Function. 2011, 2: 588-594 (cover story).
  • Xie, C., Kang, J., Chen, J. R., Nagarajan, S., Badger, T. M., Wu. X.  Phenolic Acids are in vivo Athero-protective compounds appearing in serum of rats after blueberry consumption. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 2011, 59: 10381-10387.
  • Kang, J., Xie, C., Li, Z., Shanmugam, N., Schauss, A. G., Wu, T., Wu, X. Flavonoids from açai (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) pulp and their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Food Chemistry. 2011, 128: 152-157.
  • Xie, C., Kang, J., Burris, R., Ferguson, M. F., Schauss, A. G., Nagarajan, S., Wu, X. Açai juice attenuates atherosclerosis in apoE deficient mice through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Atherosclerosis. 2011, 216: 327-333.
  • Wu, X., Tong, Y., Shankar, K., Baumgardner, J. N., Kang, J., Badeaux, J., Badger, T. M., Ronis, M. J. J.  Lipid fatty acid profile analyses in liver and serum in rats with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis using improved GC-MS methodology. Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry. 2011, 59: 747-754.
  • Wu, X., Kang, J., Xie, C., Burris, R., Ferguson, M. E., Badger, T. M., Nagarajan, S.  Dietary blueberries attenuate atherosclerosis in apoE deficient mice by upregulating antioxidant enzymes expression. Journal of Nutrition. 2010, 140: 1628-1632 (cover story).
  • Kang, J., Badger, T. M., Ronis, M. J. J., Wu, X.  Non-isoflavone constituents in soy and health effects. Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry. 2010, 58: 8119-8133.
  • Kang, J., Li, Z., Wu, T., Jensen, G. S., Schauss, A. G., Wu, X.  Antioxidant capacities and anti-inflammatory effects of flavonoid compounds isolated from acai pulp (Euterpe oleracea Mart.). Food Chemistry. 2010, 122: 610-617.
  • Wu, X., Rahal, O., Kang, J. Till, S. R., Prior, P. L., Simmen, R. C. M.  In utero and lactational exposure to blueberry via maternal diet promotes mammary epithelial differentiation in prepubescent female rats. Nutrition Research. 2009, 29: 802-811.
  • Wu, X., Pittman, H. E. III, Hager, T., Hager, A., Howard, L. Prior, R. L.  Phenolic acids in black raspberry and in the gastrointestinal tract of pigs ingested black raspberry. Molecular Nutrition and Food Research. 2009, 53: S76-S84.  

 Link to Dr. Wu's publications on PubMed