title: Does Pomegranate intake attenuate cardiovascular risk factors in hemodialysis patients?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the most common cause of morbidity and mortality among hemodialysis (HD) patients. It has been attributed, among other causes, to hypertension and dyslipidemia. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of a year-long consumption of Pomegranate juice (PJ), on two traditional cardiovascular (CV) risk factors: hypertension and lipid profile, as well as on cardiovascular events.
  
  
  METHODS
  101 HD patients were randomized to receive 100 cc of PJ (0.7 mM polyphenols) or matching placebo juice, three times a week for one year. The primary endpoints were traditional CV risk factors; blood pressure and lipid profile. Systolic, diastolic and pulse pressure, plasma levels of triglycerides (TG), high density lipoprotein (HDL), low density lipoprotein (LDL) and total cholesterol were monitored quarterly during the study year. Secondary endpoint was incidence of cardiovascular events.
  
  
  RESULTS
  PJ consumption yielded a significant time response improvement in systolic blood pressure, pulse pressure, triglycerides and HDL level; an improvement that was not observed in the placebo intake group. These beneficial outcomes were more pronounced among patients with hypertension, high level of triglycerides and low levels of HDL.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Regular PJ consumption by HD patients reduced systolic blood pressure and improved lipid profile. These favorable changes may reduce the accelerated atherosclerosis and high incidence of CVD among HD patients.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  ClinicalTrials.gov registry, Identifier number: NCT00727519.
authors.forename: Lilach
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Shema-Didi
authors.forename: Batya
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kristal
authors.forename: Shifra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sela
authors.forename: Ronit
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Geron
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, Faculty of Social Welfare & Health Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel. liora.ore@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Liora
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ore
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000517:prevention & control; D001628:Beverages; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000517:prevention & control; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D029561:Lythraceae; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010919:Placebos; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D014280:Triglycerides
chemical_list: D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D008055:Lipids; D010919:Placebos; D028321:Plant Preparations; D014280:Triglycerides