Effects of Black Raspberry on Lipid Profiles and Vascular Endothelial Function in Patients with Metabolic Syndrome

Abstract

Black raspberry (Rubus occidentalis) has been known for its anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects. However, short-term effects of black raspberry on lipid profiles and vascular endothelial function have not been investigated in patients with metabolic syndrome. Patients with metabolic syndrome (n = 77) were prospectively randomized into a group with black raspberry (n = 39, 750 mg/day) and a placebo group (n = 38) during a 12-week follow-up. Lipid profiles, brachial artery flow-mediated dilatation (baFMD), and inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6, TNF-α, C-reactive protein, adiponectin, sICAM-1, and sVCAM-1 were measured at the baseline and at the 12-week follow-up. Decreases from the baseline in the total cholesterol level (-22.8 ± 30.4 mg/dL vs. -1.9 ± 31.8 mg/dL, p < 0.05, respectively) and total cholesterol/HDL ratio (-0.31 ± 0.64 vs. 0.07 ± 0.58, p < 0.05, respectively) were significantly greater in the group with black raspberry than in the placebo group. Increases in baFMD at the 12-week follow-up were significantly greater in the group with black raspberry than in the placebo group (0.33 ± 0.44 mm vs. 0.10 ± 0.35 mm, p < 0.05, respectively). Decreases from the baseline in IL-6 (-0.4 ± 1.5 pg/mL vs. -0.1 ± 1.0 pg/mL, p < 0.05, respectively) and TNF-α (-2.9 ± 4.7 pg/mL vs. 0.1 ± 3.6 pg/mL, p < 0.05, respectively) were significantly greater in the group with black raspberry. The use of black raspberry significantly decreased serum total cholesterol level and inflammatory cytokines, thereby improving vascular endothelial function in patients with metabolic syndrome during the 12-week follow-up.

Black raspberries in cancer clinical trials: Past, present and future

“…The latter finding is in alignment with other recent studies pointing to the positive effects of berry consumption on indicators of cardiovascular health, even in patients with metabolic syndrome [37]. Jeong and colleagues recently reported that a BRB extract administered to patients with metabolic syndrome significantly reduced total cholesterol and cytokines including IL-6 and TNF-α levels following 12 weeks of consumption [37]. Obesity is a strong risk factor for both BE and EAC [35, 36]; thus, agents which positively impact risk factors, as well as defined cancer processes hold particular promise.…”

“…Cholesterol levels reduced from 234 mg/dL at baseline to 226 mg/dL at week 26, following BRB treatment [21]. The latter finding is in alignment with other recent studies pointing to the positive effects of berry consumption on indicators of cardiovascular health, even in patients with metabolic syndrome [37]. Jeong and colleagues recently reported that a BRB extract administered to patients with metabolic syndrome significantly reduced total cholesterol and cytokines including IL-6 and TNF-α levels following 12 weeks of consumption [37].…”

Raspberries Improve Postprandial Glucose and Acute and Chronic Inflammation in Adults with Type 2 Diabetes

“…Black raspberry extracts have been shown to be beneficial in adults with the metabolic syndrome, and have been specifically shown to decrease blood glucose and lipids as well as vascular inflammation in pre-diabetic subjects, and also decrease systolic blood pressure in adults with hypertension [32][33][34]. The raspberry doses used in these 8 or 12-week studies were quite high and in most cases not dietary achievable in fresh fruit equivalents.…”

Berry Fruit Consumption and Metabolic Syndrome

“…It also contains significant amounts of tyrosol, resveratrol, tannins, and other phenolic acids [42]. …”

“…Inflammatory markers IL-6 and TNF-α significantly decreased, and anti-inflammatory adiponectin significantly increased, while CRP, ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 were unaffected. Brachial artery flow-mediated dilation significantly improved [42]. …”