title: Barberry administration and pro-oxidant-antioxidant balance in patients with metabolic syndrome.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Metabolic syndrome is the constellation of several cardiometabolic risk factors, and is associated with a heightened risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). The pro-oxidant-antioxidant balance (PAB) is a measure of factors that promote and control oxidative stress. PAB may also be associated with the risk factors of CHD.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to explore the impact of supplementation with barberry, a fruit rich in antioxidants, on PAB in patients with metabolic syndrome.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 106 patients diagnosed with metabolic syndrome were randomized in two groups: case and control. The case group received three capsules of barberry and the control group received three capsules of placebo for 6 weeks. Serum PAB was measured in all patients before and after the intervention.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no significant difference between the groups regarding their baseline PAB values (P = 0.32). A significant decrease in PAB was observed in the barberry group (P = 0.022), whilst there was no significant change in the control group (P = 0.18). The magnitude of change in PAB during the study was significantly greater in the case group compared to the control group (P = 0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Barberry supplementation reduces oxidative burden in patients with metabolic syndrome.
authors.affiliation: Biochemistry of Nutrition Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
authors.forename: Akram
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mohammadi
authors.affiliation: Neurogenic Inflammation Research center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran ; Biotechnology Research center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
authors.forename: Amirhossein
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sahebkar
authors.affiliation: Biochemistry of Nutrition Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
authors.forename: Tayyebeh
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kermani
authors.affiliation: Biochemistry of Nutrition Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
authors.forename: Marzieh
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zhilaee
authors.affiliation: Biochemistry of Nutrition Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
authors.forename: Shima
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tavallaie
authors.affiliation: Cardiovascular Research center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
authors.forename: Majid
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ghayour Mobarhan
keywords: Berberidaceae; Metabolic Cardiovascular Syndrome; Randomized Controlled Trial