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Lipid-lowering activity of artichoke extracts: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

  • 2017-08-24
  • Critical reviews in food science and nutrition 58(15)
    • Amirhossein Sahebkar
    • Matteo Pirro
    • Maciej Banach
    • Dimitri P Mikhailidis
    • Stephen L Atkin
    • Arrigo F G Cicero

Study Design

Type
Meta-Analysis
Sample size
n = 702
Population
9 trials including 702 subjects
Methods
Meta-analysis of RCTs; search of PubMed-Medline, Scopus, Web of Science and Google Scholar up to March 28, 2017; quantitative data synthesis using a random-effects model
Artichoke is a component of the Mediterranean diet. Therefore, the aim of this meta-analysis was to determine if artichoke extract supplementation affected human lipid parameters. The search included PubMed-Medline, Scopus, Web of Science and Google Scholar databases up to March 28, 2017, to identify RCTs investigating the impact of artichoke extracts on plasma lipid levels. Quantitative data synthesis was performed using a random-effects model, with weighed mean difference (WMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI) as summary statistics. Meta-analysis of data from 9 trials including 702 subjects suggested a significant decrease in plasma concentrations of total cholesterol (WMD: -17.6 mg/dL, 95%CI: -22.0, -13.3, p < 0.001), Low Density Lipoprotein-Cholesterol (LDL-C; WMD: -14.9 mg/dL, 95%CI: -20.4, -9.5, p = 0.011) and triglycerides (WMD: -9.2 mg/dL, 95%CI: -16.2, -2.1, p = 0.011). No significant alteration in plasma High Density Lipoprotein-Cholesterol (HDL-C) concentrations was observed (WMD: 1.0 mg/dL, 95%CI: -1.1, 3.1, p = 0.333). A significant association between the LDL-lowering effect of artichoke and baseline LDL-C concentrations (slope: -0.170; 95%CI: -0.288, 0.051; p = 0.005) was observed. Thus, supplementation with artichoke extract was associated with a significant reduction in both total and LDL-C, and triglycerides, suggesting that supplementation may be synergistic with lipid-lowering therapy in patients with hyperlipidemia.

Research Insights

  • Artichoke→Increased HDL Cholesterol Levels

    No significant alteration in plasma High Density Lipoprotein-Cholesterol (HDL-C) concentrations was observed (WMD: 1.0 mg/dL, 95%CI: -1.1, 3.1, p = 0.333)

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
  • Artichoke→Reduced Blood Cholesterol

    Meta-analysis of data from 9 trials including 702 subjects suggested a significant decrease in plasma concentrations of total cholesterol (WMD: -17.6 mg/dL, 95%CI: -22.0, -13.3, p < 0.001)

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Moderate
  • Artichoke→Reduced Low-Density Lipoprotein Level

    Low Density Lipoprotein-Cholesterol (LDL-C; WMD: -14.9 mg/dL, 95%CI: -20.4, -9.5, p = 0.011)

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Moderate
  • Artichoke→Reduced Triglyceride Levels

    triglycerides (WMD: -9.2 mg/dL, 95%CI: -16.2, -2.1, p = 0.011)

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Small
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