Supplementation with a pine bark extract rich in polyphenols increases plasma antioxidant capacity and alters the plasma lipoprotein profile

Abstract

Pycnogenol (PYC), an extract of French maritime pine bark (Pinus pinaster), is a potent antioxidant with potential health benefits. Its bioavailabilty has previously been shown by urinary excretion studies of constituents and metabolites of PYC. The aim of this study was to test the effect of PYC supplementation on measures of oxidative stress and the lipid profile in humans. Twenty-five healthy subjects received PYC (150 mg/d) for 6 wk. Fasting blood was collected at baseline, after 3 and 6 wk of supplementation, and again after a 4-wk washout period. After 6 wk of supplementation with PYC, a significant increase in plasma polyphenol levels was detectable, which was reversed after the 4-wk washout phase. The antioxidant effect of PYC was demonstrated by a significant increase in oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) in plasma throughout the supplementation period (P < 0.05). The ORAC value returned to baseline after the 4-wk washout period. Moreover, in addition to its antioxidant effects, PYC significantly reduced LDL-cholesterol levels and increased HDL-cholesterol levels in plasma of two-thirds of the subjects. While the LDL changes reversed during washout, the HDL increase did not. There was no significant difference in LDL oxidizability or plasma lipid peroxides following PYC supplementation. Hence, following oral supplementation in humans, PYC significantly increases antioxidant capacity of plasma, as determined by ORAC, and exerts favorable effects on the lipid profile.

Pycnogenol Supplementation Promotes Lipolysis via Activation of cAMP-Dependent PKA in <i>ob/ob</i> Mice and Primary-Cultured Adipocytes

“…In addition, HDL-cholesterol levels were significantly increased by Pyc supplementation. Devaraj et al reported similar results, in that Pyc supplementation (150 mg/d) for 6 wk significantly reduced low density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol and increased HDL-cholesterol concentrations in the plasma of 25 healthy subjects (28). Taken together, these results suggest that Pyc might play a beneficial role in obesityrelated diseases by improving lipid profiles.…”

Improvement of erectile function with Prelox: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial

“…26 The slight lowering of cholesterol, observed in this study as well as in clinical trials with Pycnogenol, may contribute to an anti-atherosclerotic effect. 6,27,28 All other parameters of routine clinical chemistry remained in the normal range. The small, but significant increase in the number of erythrocytes and in the concentrations of albumin and hemoglobin remained well within the reference ranges for male adults.…”

What is Xenohormesis?

“…An additional mechanism by which animals could be exposed to an increased concentration of dietary polyphenols or other phytochemicals is through a change in the type of plant being consumed. Bark, for example, is a rich source of polyphenols [41,42] but is unlikely to be selected until other food choices have been exhausted. In fact, many polyphenols appear to play specific roles in making plants less palatable to deter herbivores and insect pests [20] , so it is possible that higher polyphenol content is a general property of less desirable plant foods.…”