Black Raspberry Extract Increased Circulating Endothelial Progenitor Cells and Improved Arterial Stiffness in Patients with Metabolic Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

2016-02-18
Journal of medicinal food 19(4)
- Han Saem Jeong
- Sohyeon Kim
- Soon Jun Hong
- Seung Cheol Choi
- Ji-Hyun Choi
- Jong-Ho Kim
- Chi-Yeon Park
- Jae Young Cho
- Tae-Bum Lee
- Ji-Wung Kwon
- Hyung Joon Joo
- Jae Hyoung Park
- Cheol Woong Yu
- Do-Sun Lim

PubMed: 26891216
DOI: 10.1089/jmf.2015.3563

Study Design

Type: Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
Sample size: n = 51
Population: patients with metabolic syndrome (n = 51)
Methods: prospectively randomized into the black raspberry group (n = 26, 750 mg/day) and placebo group (n = 25) during the 12-week follow-up
Duration: 12-week follow-up

Administration of black raspberry (Rubus occidentalis) is known to improve vascular endothelial function in patients at a high risk for cardiovascular (CV) disease. We investigated short-term effects of black raspberry on circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) and arterial stiffness in patients with metabolic syndrome. Patients with metabolic syndrome (n = 51) were prospectively randomized into the black raspberry group (n = 26, 750 mg/day) and placebo group (n = 25) during the 12-week follow-up. Central blood pressure, augmentation index, and EPCs, such as CD34/KDR(+), CD34/CD117(+), and CD34/CD133(+), were measured at baseline and at 12-week follow-up. Radial augmentation indexes were significantly decreased in the black raspberry group compared to the placebo group (-5% ± 10% vs. 3% ± 14%, P < .05). CD34/CD133(+) cells at 12-week follow-up were significantly higher in the black raspberry group compared to the placebo group (19 ± 109/μL vs. -28 ± 57/μL, P < .05). Decreases from the baseline in interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) were significantly greater in the black raspberry group compared to the placebo group (-0.5 ± 1.4 pg/mL vs. -0.1 ± 1.1 pg/mL, P < .05 and -5.4 ± 4.5 pg/mL vs. -0.8 ± 4.0 pg/mL, P < .05, respectively). Increases from the baseline in adiponectin levels (2.9 ± 2.1 μg/mL vs. -0.2 ± 2.5 μg/mL, P < .05) were significant in the black raspberry group. The use of black raspberry significantly lowered the augmentation index and increased circulating EPCs, thereby improving CV risks in patients with metabolic syndrome during the 12-week follow-up.

Research Insights

Black Raspberry→Increased Adiponectin Levels
Increases from the baseline in adiponectin levels (2.9 ± 2.1 μg/mL vs. -0.2 ± 2.5 μg/mL, P < .05) were significant in the black raspberry group.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Dose
750 mg/day
Black Raspberry→Increased Endothelial Progenitor Cell Count
CD34/CD133(+) cells at 12-week follow-up were significantly higher in the black raspberry group compared to the placebo group (19 ± 109/μL vs. -28 ± 57/μL, P < .05).
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Dose
750 mg/day
Black Raspberry→Reduced Augmentation Index
Radial augmentation indexes were significantly decreased in the black raspberry group compared to the placebo group (-5% ± 10% vs. 3% ± 14%, P < .05).
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Dose
750 mg/day
Black Raspberry→Reduced Interleukin-6 Levels
Decreases from the baseline in interleukin-6 (IL-6) ... were significantly greater in the black raspberry group compared to the placebo group (-0.5 ± 1.4 pg/mL vs. -0.1 ± 1.1 pg/mL, P < .05).
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Dose
750 mg/day
Black Raspberry→Reduced Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha
Decreases from the baseline in ... tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) were significantly greater in the black raspberry group compared to the placebo group (-5.4 ± 4.5 pg/mL vs. -0.8 ± 4.0 pg/mL, P < .05).
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Dose
750 mg/day