Clinical investigation of the acute effects of pomegranate juice on blood pressure and endothelial function in hypertensive individuals

• Main Authors: Sedigheh Asgary, Mahtab Keshvari, Amirhossein Sahebkar, Mohamad Hashemi, Mahmoud Rafieian-Kopaei
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Vesnu Publications 2013-11-01
• Series: ARYA Atherosclerosis
• Online Access: http://arya.mui.ac.ir/index.php/arya/article/view/643
• ISSN: 1735-3955; 2251-6638

<div><div><p class="abstract"><strong>BACKGROUND:</strong>Pomegranate juice (PJ) is rich in bioactive phytochemicals with antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory and cardioprotective functions. The present trial investigated the acute effects of PJ consumption on blood pressure and markers of endothelial function.</p> <p class="abstract"><strong>METHODS:</strong>In this single-arm study, thirteen hypertensive men aged 39&ndash;68 years were recruited. Included subjects were assigned to natural PJ (150 ml/day) following a 12 hour fast. Systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and flow-mediated dilation (FMD), along with serum concentrations of C-reactive protein (CRP), intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1), E-selectin and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were measured at baseline and 4-6 hours after PJ consumption.</p> <p class="abstract"><strong>RESULTS:</strong>Comparison of pre- vs. post-trial values revealed a significant reduction in both SBP (7%; P = 0.013) and DBP (6%; P &lt; 0.010). However, changes in FMD (20%) as well as circulating levels of CRP, ICAM-1, VCAM-1, E-selectin, and IL-6 did not reach statistical significance (P = 0.172).</p> <p class="abstract"><strong>CONCLUSION:</strong>PJ has promising acute hypotensive properties. Consumption of PJ could be considered in the context of both dietary and pharmacological interventions for hypertension.</p> <p class="abstract">&nbsp;</p></div> <strong>Keywords:</strong> Punica Granatum L., Cardiovascular Disease, Hypertension, Inflammation, Endothelium-Dependent Dilation<p class="abstract">&nbsp;</p></div>