title: Saffron supplements modulate serum pro-oxidant-antioxidant balance in patients with metabolic syndrome: A randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We have investigated the effect of a saffron supplement, given at a dose of 100 mg/kg, on prooxidant-antioxidant balance (PAB) in individuals with metabolic syndrome.
  
  
  METHODS
  A randomized, placebo-controlled trial design was used in 75 subjects with metabolic syndrome who were randomly allocated to one of two study groups: (1) the case group received 100mg/kg saffron and (2) the placebo control group received placebo for 12 weeks. The serum PAB assay was applied to all subjects before (week 0) and after (weeks 6 and 12) the intervention.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a significant (p=0.035) reduction in serum PAB between week 0 to week 6 and also from week 0 to week 12.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Saffron supplements can modulate serum PAB in subjects with metabolic syndrome, implying an improvement in some aspects of oxidative stress or antioxidant protection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy and Cell biology, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran.
authors.forename: Tayyebeh
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kermani
authors.affiliation: Pharmacological Research Center of Medicinal Plant, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Science, Mashhad, Iran.
authors.forename: Seyyed Hadi
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Mousavi
authors.affiliation: Biochemistry of Nutrition Research Center, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Science, Mashhad, Iran.
authors.forename: Maryam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shemshian
authors.affiliation: Biochemistry of Nutrition Research Center, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Science, Mashhad, Iran.
authors.forename: Abdolreza
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Norouzy
authors.affiliation: Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Mohsen
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mazidi
authors.affiliation: Biochemistry of Nutrition Research Center, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Science, Mashhad, Iran.
authors.forename: Atefeh
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Moezzi
authors.affiliation: Biochemistry of Nutrition Research Center, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Science, Mashhad, Iran.
authors.forename: Toktam
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Moghiman
authors.affiliation: Biochemistry of Nutrition Research Center, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Science, Mashhad, Iran ; Cardiovascular Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Science, Mashhad, Iran.
authors.forename: Majid
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ghayour-Mobarhan
authors.affiliation: Division of Medical Education, Brighton & Sussex Medical School, Rm 342, Mayfield House, University of Brighton, BN1 9PH, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Gordon
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: A Ferns
keywords: Metabolic syndrome; Saffron; prooxidant-antioxidant balance