Chios mastic gum modulates serum biochemical parameters in a human population.
BACKGROUND
Current research suggests that Chios mastic (Pistacia lentiscus var. chia) possesses beneficial (antimicrobial, antioxidant, hepatoprotective) properties. This study aims to assess its effects on cardiologic and hepatic biochemical indices of human subjects.


METHODS
Subjects (n=133, aged over 50) were randomly assigned to two groups, the first (high-dose group) ingesting daily 5g of mastic powder and the second receiving daily a Chios mastic solution (low-dose group). Serum biochemical parameters were determined on a monthly basis for an 18-month (high-dose group) and a 12-month (low-dose group) follow-up period. Generalized least squares random-effects linear regression was performed.


RESULTS
The group ingesting Chios mastic powder (high-dose group) exhibited a decrease in serum total cholesterol, LDL, total cholesterol/HDL ratio, lipoprotein (a), apolipoprotein A-1, apolipoprotein B (apoB/apoA-1 ratio did not change), SGOT, SGPT and gamma-GT levels; in the second (low-dose) group, glucose levels decreased in males.


CONCLUSIONS
Chios mastic powder could have a hepatoprotective/cardioprotective role in vivo in humans.
Triantafyllou
Angeliki
A
Department of Biochemistry, Medical School, National University of Athens, 75, Mikras Assias Str, Athens, Greece.
Chaviaras
Nikolaos
N
Sergentanis
Theodoros N
TN
Protopapa
Evaggelia
E
Tsaknis
John
J
D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D016632:Apolipoprotein A-I / Q000097:blood; D001055:Apolipoproteins B / Q000097:blood; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000097:blood; D002317:Cardiovascular Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006115:Greece; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D050356:Lipid Metabolism / Q000187:drug effects*; D017270:Lipoprotein(a) / Q000097:blood; D008075:Lipoproteins, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000097:blood; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D000069997:Mastic Resin; D008875:Middle Aged; D027927:Pistacia; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology; D020011:Protective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012116:Resins, Plant / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013997:Time Factors; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase / Q000097:blood
D016632:Apolipoprotein A-I; D001055:Apolipoproteins B; D002317:Cardiovascular Agents; D017270:Lipoprotein(a); D008075:Lipoproteins, HDL; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; D000069997:Mastic Resin; D010936:Plant Extracts; D020011:Protective Agents; D012116:Resins, Plant; D002784:Cholesterol; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D000410:Alanine Transaminase