scholarly journals Effects of a Fruit and Vegetable-Based Nutraceutical on Biomarkers of Inflammation and Oxidative Status in the Plasma of a Healthy Population: A Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind, and Randomized Clinical Trial

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (12) ◽  
pp. 3604
Author(s):  
Raúl Arcusa ◽  
Juan Ángel Carrillo ◽  
Raquel Xandri-Martínez ◽  
Begoña Cerdá ◽  
Débora Villano ◽  
...  

There is scientific evidence of the positive effect of polyphenols from plant foods on inflammation and oxidative status. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether treatment with a high-polyphenolic nutraceutical reduces the plasmatic concentration of certain oxidative and inflammatory biomarkers in a healthy population. One hundred and eight subjects were selected and stratified by sex in the intervention group (n = 53) and the placebo group (n = 55). Ninety-two subjects completed the study after two 16-week treatment periods separated by a four-week washout period. The results revealed statistically significant differences in subjects treated with the polyphenolic extract compared to the placebo: A decrease in homocysteine, oxidized low-density lipoprotein (OxLDL), TNF-α, sTNFR1, and C-reactive protein (CRP). The most significant decrease was observed for OxLDL (from 78.98 ± 24.48 to 69.52 ± 15.64; p < 0.05) and CRP (from 1.50 ± 0.33 to 1.39 ± 0.37; p < 0.05), both showing significant differences compared to the placebo (p < 0.001). Moreover, catecholamines increased after the administration of the product under investigation, especially in the case of dopamine (from 15.43 ± 2.66 to 19.61 ± 5.73; p < 0.05). Therefore, the consumption of a nutraceutical based on fruit and vegetables with a high polyphenol content seems to improve the parameters related to health benefits (oxidative and inflammatory biomarkers), including remarkable changes in the expression of catecholamines.

Antioxidants ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 118 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammed Ghouse Ahmed Ansari ◽  
Shaun Sabico ◽  
Mario Clerici ◽  
Malak Nawaz Khan Khattak ◽  
Kaiser Wani ◽  
...  

Vitamin D supplementation may be used to lower oxidative stress. This interventional study aimed to investigate the effects of vitamin D supplementation on glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPx1) levels and other parameters in Arab adults with prediabetes. A total of 203 Saudi adults with prediabetes and vitamin D deficiency [intervention group, N = 146 (53 males and 93 females); control group, N = 57 (25 males and 32 females)] were included in this non-randomized, six-month intervention study. The intervention group received 50,000 international units (IU) cholecalciferol tablets once a week for two months, then twice a month for the next two months, followed by 1000 IU daily for the last two months. The control group received no supplementation. Serum 25(OH)D, lipid profile, glucose, C-reactive protein (CRP) and GPx1 were measured at baseline and after six months. Post-intervention, GPx1 concentrations increased significantly in the intervention group [17.3 (11.5–59.0) vs 26.7 (11.4–59.9) p < 0.01] while no changes were observed in the control group (p = 0.15). This significant increase in 25(OH)D and GPx1 levels persisted after adjusting for age and BMI. Stratification according to sex revealed that this favourable increase in GPx1 was true only for males (p = 0.002). In all groups, baseline GPx1 was inversely correlated with low density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol (r = −0.26, p < 0.01) and body mass index (BMI) (r = −0.20, p < 0.05), while positively correlated with age (r = 0.18, p < 0.05) and systolic blood pressure (r = 0.19, p < 0.05). In conclusion, vitamin D supplementation favourably enhanced GPx1 levels in adult Arabs with prediabetes, particularly in males.


Antioxidants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 589
Author(s):  
Desirée Victoria-Montesinos ◽  
María Salud Abellán Abellán Ruiz ◽  
Antonio J. Luque Rubia ◽  
Daniel Guillén Guillén Martínez ◽  
Silvia Pérez-Piñero ◽  
...  

The aim of the study was to assess whether oral intake of a nutraceutical product (Citrolive™) could determine changes in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation and other parameters of lipid metabolism and plasma atherogenic capacity. Citrolive™ is a commercial extract obtained from the combination of citrus fruit flavonoids and olive leaf extracts. Twenty-three untreated subjects (69.6% males, 30.4% females, mean age 41.9 ± 9.4 years) with cardiovascular risk factors and a total cholesterol level > 200 mg/dL and LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) > 130 mg/dL participated in a 3-month randomized double-blind controlled study. Participants in the intervention group (71.4% males, 28.6% females, mean age 42.7 ± 9.7 years) consumed Citrolive™ (500 mg, two capsules/day), and controls (66.7% males, 33.3% females, mean age 40.6 ± 9.4 years) received a matched placebo. At 3 months, oxidized LDL (ox-LDL) decreased significantly in the intervention group from 93.8 ± 19.1 U/L to 62.8 ± 28.7 U/L (p < 0.05), whereas the control group increased from 98.2 ± 23.5 U/L to 105.7 ± 21.9 U/L (p = 0.1). Between-group differences were also significant (p < 0.05). Similar findings in the ox-LDL/LDL-C ratio were observed. Serum paraoxonase activity (PON1) increased significantly in the intervention group from 64.5 ± 15.6 U/L to 78.7 ± 28.8 U/L (p < 0.05) but remained unchanged in controls. Consumption of Citrolive™ for 3 months in treatment-naïve subjects with moderate risk of atherosclerosis was associated with a reduction in oxidized LDL-C and LDL-oxidase/LDL-C ratio as compared to controls.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Alireza Niknafs ◽  
Mohammadreza Rezvanfar ◽  
Mohammad Kamalinejad ◽  
Seyed Amirhosein Latifi ◽  
Amir Almasi-Hashiani ◽  
...  

Introduction. It has been well established in the world that lipid disorders promote the development of atherosclerosis and its clinical consequences. This study aimed to assess the impacts of a Persian medicinal (PM) compound on lipid profile. Materials and Methods. From June 21 to October 21, 2020, a randomized double-blind controlled clinical trial was conducted with 74 dyslipidemic patients, who were randomly divided into two equally populated groups: one prescribed with a Persian medicinal herbal compound (n = 37) and a placebo group (n = 37). A Persian herbal medicine including fenugreek, sumac, and purslane is introduced. Biochemical parameters including 12-hour fasting serum levels of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), and triglyceride (TG) were measured before the initiation and after the completion of study protocol. Results. Percent changes of biochemical parameters include the following: intervention group = cholesterol: 35.22, Tg: 45.91, LDL: 24.81, HDL: 2.05, VLDL: 8.94 and placebo group = cholesterol: 6.94, Tg: −7.3, LDL: 7.37, HDL: 2.88, VLDL: −0.14. The serum levels of total cholesterol ( p = 0.01 ) and LDL ( p = 0.01 ) significantly decreased and no increase was recorded in HDL ( p = 0.03 ) levels over time in the intervention group. Furthermore, between-group analysis showed a statistically significant difference between the intervention and placebo groups in this regard. VLDL ( p = 0.2 ) and TG ( p = 0.2 ) levels also decreased, however not significantly. Conclusion. This study showed that a Persian medicinal herbal compound could be safe and beneficial to decrease the levels of serum cholesterol and LDL in dyslipidemic patients. However, larger long-term studies are recommended to clarify this effect.


Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 1869
Author(s):  
Amanda Rao ◽  
David Briskey ◽  
Jakob O Nalley ◽  
Eneko Ganuza

The aim of this trial is to assess the effect of Almega®PL on improving the Omega-3 Index, cardio-metabolic parameters, and other biomarkers in generally healthy individuals. The benefits of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids for cardiovascular health are primarily built upon mixtures of docosahexaenoic (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acids (EPA). Highly purified EPA therapy has proven to be particularly effective in the treatment of cardiovascular disease, but less is known about the benefits of EPA-only supplementation for the general healthy population. Almega®PL is a polar rich oil (>15%) derived from the microalga Nannochloropsis that contains EPA (>25%) with no DHA. Participants (n = 120) were given a capsule of 1 g/day of either Almega®PL or placebo for 12 weeks. Differences in the Omega-3 Index, cardiometabolic markers, and other general health indicators were measured at the baseline, six, and 12 weeks. Compared to the placebo group, Almega®PL supplementation significantly increased the Omega-3 Index and EPA concentration from 4.96 ± 0.90 and 0.82 ± 0.37% at the baseline to 5.75 ± 0.90 and 1.27 ± 0.36 at week 12, respectively. Very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL) decreased by 25%, which resulted in a significant decrease in total cholesterol compared to the placebo. Interestingly, the decrease in VLDL was not associated with an increase in LDL, which seems to be a benefit associated with EPA-only based formulations. Collectively, these results show that Almega®PL provides a natural EPA-only option to increase EPA and manage cholesterol levels in the general population.


Antioxidants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 116
Author(s):  
Juan Ángel Carrillo ◽  
Raúl Arcusa ◽  
María Pilar Zafrilla ◽  
Javier Marhuenda

There is scientific evidence of the positive effect of polyphenols from plant foods on cognition, but not enough is known about the synergistic effect when multiple polyphenols are consumed and even less in a healthy non-elderly population. The aim of the present study is to investigate the possible effects of improvements in cognitive function in healthy people as a preparation based on micronized fruit and vegetables consumed. One hundred and eight subjects were selected, stratified by sex in the control intervention group (n = 53) and placebo (n = 55). Volunteers completed the study after two 16-week periods of consumption with a 4-week wash period between each phase. At the beginning and the end of each phase, volunteers performed the Stroop, TESEN, and RIST tests for the measurement of different cognitive function patterns. The results revealed statistically significant differences in all the variables of the tests carried out, especially compared with the placebo. Specially, the results obtained in the Stroop and TESEN test, in addition to the processing speed even with semantic interferences, were markedly better after the treatment with the product under study. Moreover, the consumption of the product under study clearly improves short-term memory, verbal and non-verbal, according to the results obtained in the RIST test. The results showed an improvement in executive function in terms of short-term memory, working memory, selective and sustained attention, and speed of processing.


1984 ◽  
Vol 51 (02) ◽  
pp. 186-188 ◽  
Author(s):  
A Szczeklik ◽  
R J Gryglewski ◽  
K Sladek ◽  
E Kostka-Trąbka ◽  
A Żmuda

SummaryDihomo-γ-linolenic acid (DHLA), a precursor of monoenoic anti-aggregatory prostaglandins (PGE1, PGD2), was administered for 4 weeks in a daily dose of 1.0 g into 33 patients with atherosclerosis on a basis of a double-blind trial. Comparison of treatment and placebo groups revealed elevation of DHLA in red cell lipids in DHLA-treated subjects. No differences, however, between the two groups could be observed in platelet aggregability, thromboxane A2 generation by platelets, serum cholesterol, PGE1 and PGE2 levels, and in inhibitory activity of low-density lipoproteins against prostacyclin synthetizing system in arteries. The dietary supplementation used did not lead to distinct antithrombotic effects.


Metabolites ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 223
Author(s):  
Roberta D’Assante ◽  
Mariarosaria De Luca ◽  
Sergio Ferraro ◽  
Andrea Ferraro ◽  
Antonio Ruvolo ◽  
...  

Hypercholesterolemia represents a serious public health problem as it significantly increases the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. Its treatment with statin is limited by costs, side effects, and drugs interactions. Nutraceuticals appear to have an important metabolic effect on cholesterol reduction as well as on body weight and glycemia. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a nutraceutical combination (Melasterol) in eighty-seven patients with acquired hypercholesterolemia. Clinically relevant parameters were collected at baseline and after three and six months of Melasterol treatment, one tablet per day. The primary endpoint was the change in cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Six months of treatment resulted in a 19.2% decrease in total cholesterol, accompanied by a 19.8% decrease in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and a 23% reduction in triglycerides (p < 0.001) but not in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels (p > 0.05). These results were paralleled by a significative blood glucose (108.3 ± 21.3 vs. 98.4 ± 18.6 mg/dL p < 0.001) and body mass index (BMI) reduction (27.8 ± 4.4 vs. 27.0 ± 4.2 mg/dL, p < 0.001). A subgroup of 12 patients performed flow-mediated dilation, with values increasing by 1.8% (p < 0.05). No significant side effects were reported. Besides its cholesterol-lowering effect, Melasterol was associated with a significant improvement in other relevant metabolic parameters such as BMI and glycemia.


2021 ◽  
Vol 73 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gökhan Ceyhun

Abstract Background In this study considering the relationship between serum endocan and CHA2DS2-VASc score, we assumed that endocan level could be a new biomarker for stroke risk in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF). It was examined that endocan could be an alternative to determine the risk of stroke and anticoagulation strategy in patients with PAF. The CHA2DS2-VASc scores were calculated for 192 patients with PAF, and their serum endocan levels were measured. The patients were divided into two groups as those with low to moderate (0-1) and those with high (≥ 2) CHA2DS2-VASc scores, and the endocan levels were compared between these two groups. Results The serum endocan level was significantly higher in the high CHA2DS2-VASc score group (p < 0.001). In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, endocan, C-reactive protein, and low-density lipoprotein were found to be independent determinants of the CHA2DS2-VASc score. The predictive value of endocan was analyzed using the ROC curve analysis, which revealed that endocan predicted a high stroke risk (CHA2DS2-VASc ≥ 2) at 82.5% sensitivity and 71.2% specificity at the cutoff value of 1.342. Conclusion This study indicates that endocan is significantly associated with CHA2DS2-VASc score. We demonstrated that endocan could be a new biomarker for the prediction of a high stroke risk among patients diagnosed with PAF.


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