A nutraceutical combination improves insulin sensitivity in patients with metabolic syndrome

Abstract

AIM:To test the efficacy of a proprietary nutraceutical combination in reducing insulin resistance associated with the metabolic syndrome (MetS). METHODS:Sixty-four patients with MetS followed at a tertiary outpatient clinic were randomly assigned to receive either placebo or a proprietary nutraceutical combination (AP) consisting of berberine, policosanol and red yeast rice, in a prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Evaluations were performed at baseline and after 18 wk of treatment. The homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index was the primary outcome measure. Secondary endpoints included lipid panel, blood glucose and insulin fasting, after a standard mixed meal and after an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), flow-mediated dilation (FM�), and waist circumference. RESULTS:Fifty nine patients completed the study, 2 withdrew because of adverse effects. After 18 wk there was a significant reduction in the HOMA-IR index in the AP group compared with placebo (ΔHOMA respectively -0.6 ± 1.2 vs 0.4 ± 1.9; P < 0.05). Total and low density lipoprotein cholesterol also significantly decreased in the treatment arm compared with placebo (Δlow density lipoprotein cholesterol -0.82 ± 0.68 vs -0.13 ± 0.55 mmol/L; P < 0.001), while triglycerides, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, and the OGTT were not affected. In addition, there were significant reductions in blood glucose and insulin after the standard mixed meal, as well as an increase in FMD (ΔFMD 1.9 ± 4.2 vs 0 ± 1.9 %; P < 0.05) and a significant reduction in arterial systolic blood pressure in the AP arm. CONCLUSION:This short-term study shows that AP has relevant beneficial effects on insulin resistance and many other components of MetS.

Middle-Term Dietary Supplementation with Red Yeast Rice Plus Coenzyme Q10 Improves Lipid Pattern, Endothelial Reactivity and Arterial Stiffness in Moderately Hypercholesterolemic Subjects

“…As for the effects of monacolins on the endothelial function, 2 studies by Affuso et al [30,31] resulted in line with our findings. Although these trials tested a nutraceu-tical combination containing berberine and policosanols, besides red yeast rice, the product we used consisted of red yeast rice and Coenzyme Q10.…”

“…Although these trials tested a nutraceu-tical combination containing berberine and policosanols, besides red yeast rice, the product we used consisted of red yeast rice and Coenzyme Q10. We examined the endothelial function employing the Endocheck ® method (extensively described above and) the results of which seem to be comparable to those obtained through the flow-mediated dilation (FMD) through ultrasound, used by Affuso et al [30,31] in their above-mentioned works. FMD represents the main method in use for the assessment of endothelial function [32,33] .…”

Berberine, a plant alkaloid with lipid- and glucose-lowering properties: From in vitro evidence to clinical studies

“…13 significantly reduces HOMA-IR, TC and LDL-C, while no significant effects on TG and HDL-C are observed [109].…”

Berberine behind the thriller of marked symptomatic bradycardia

“…Indeed, berberine has been found to have a good safety profile [2,3,5,6,[9][10][11] in patients with pathological conditions characterised by a hyperadrenergic state, such as acute coronary syndrome [13] , heart failure [14,15] , diabetes [16] , hypertension [17] , and menopause [18] . In a murine model, it has been proven that berberine reduces plasma adrenaline and noradrenaline levels [19] .…”

“…Berberine has been tested in acute coronary syndrome patients following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) [6] , in congestive heart failure secondary to ischemic or idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy [3] , in menopausal women [9] , in elderly hypercholesterolaemic patients [10] , and in patients with metabolic syndrome [11] , offering various therapeutic strategies without evidence of side effects.…”