title: Effects of nattokinase on blood pressure: a randomized, controlled trial.
abstract: The objective of this study was to examine the effects of nattokinase supplementation on blood pressure in subjects with pre-hypertension or stage 1 hypertension. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 86 participants ranging from 20 to 80 years of age with an initial untreated systolic blood pressure (SBP) of 130 to 159 mmHg received nattokinase (2,000 FU/capsule) or a placebo capsule for 8 weeks. Seventy-three subjects completed the protocol. Compared with the control group, the net changes in SBP and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were -5.55 mmHg (95% confidence interval [CI], -10.5 to -0.57 mmHg; p<0.05) and -2.84 mmHg (CI, -5.33 to -0.33 mmHg; p<0.05), respectively, after the 8-week intervention. The corresponding net change in renin activity was -1.17 ng/mL/h for the nattokinase group compared with the control group (p<0.05). In conclusion, nattokinase supplementation resulted in a reduction in SBP and DBP. These findings suggest that increased intake of nattokinase may play an important role in preventing and treating hypertension.
authors.affiliation: Yonsei University Research Institute of Science for Aging, Department of Food and Nutrition, College of Human Ecology, Yonsei University, and Department of Family Medicine, Mizmedi Hospital, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Ji Young
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Si Nae
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Gum
authors.forename: Jean Kyung
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Paik
authors.forename: Hyo Hee
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.forename: Kyong-Chol
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Kazuya
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ogasawara
authors.forename: Kenichi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Inoue
authors.forename: Sungha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Yangsoo
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Jang
authors.forename: Jong Ho
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001794:Blood Pressure; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000097:blood / Q000178:diet therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D007703:Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A / Q000097:blood; D010919:Placebos; D012083:Renin / Q000097:blood; D045730:Soy Foods; D013381:Subtilisins / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D010919:Placebos; D007703:Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A; D013381:Subtilisins; D012083:Renin; C053771:nattokinase