title: Black Raspberry Extract Increased Circulating Endothelial Progenitor Cells and Improved Arterial Stiffness in Patients with Metabolic Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
abstract: Administration of black raspberry (Rubus occidentalis) is known to improve vascular endothelial function in patients at a high risk for cardiovascular (CV) disease. We investigated short-term effects of black raspberry on circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) and arterial stiffness in patients with metabolic syndrome. Patients with metabolic syndrome (n = 51) were prospectively randomized into the black raspberry group (n = 26, 750 mg/day) and placebo group (n = 25) during the 12-week follow-up. Central blood pressure, augmentation index, and EPCs, such as CD34/KDR(+), CD34/CD117(+), and CD34/CD133(+), were measured at baseline and at 12-week follow-up. Radial augmentation indexes were significantly decreased in the black raspberry group compared to the placebo group (-5% ± 10% vs. 3% ± 14%, P < .05). CD34/CD133(+) cells at 12-week follow-up were significantly higher in the black raspberry group compared to the placebo group (19 ± 109/μL vs. -28 ± 57/μL, P < .05). Decreases from the baseline in interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) were significantly greater in the black raspberry group compared to the placebo group (-0.5 ± 1.4 pg/mL vs. -0.1 ± 1.1 pg/mL, P < .05 and -5.4 ± 4.5 pg/mL vs. -0.8 ± 4.0 pg/mL, P < .05, respectively). Increases from the baseline in adiponectin levels (2.9 ± 2.1 μg/mL vs. -0.2 ± 2.5 μg/mL, P < .05) were significant in the black raspberry group. The use of black raspberry significantly lowered the augmentation index and increased circulating EPCs, thereby improving CV risks in patients with metabolic syndrome during the 12-week follow-up.
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Cardiology, Cardiovascular Center, Korea University Anam Hospital , Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Han Saem
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Jeong
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Cardiology, Cardiovascular Center, Korea University Anam Hospital , Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Sohyeon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Cardiology, Cardiovascular Center, Korea University Anam Hospital , Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Soon Jun
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Cardiology, Cardiovascular Center, Korea University Anam Hospital , Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Seung Cheol
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Cardiology, Cardiovascular Center, Korea University Anam Hospital , Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Ji-Hyun
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Cardiology, Cardiovascular Center, Korea University Anam Hospital , Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Jong-Ho
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Cardiology, Cardiovascular Center, Korea University Anam Hospital , Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Chi-Yeon
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Cardiology, Cardiovascular Center, Korea University Anam Hospital , Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Jae Young
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.affiliation: 2 Gochang Black Raspberry Research Institute , Gochang, Korea.
authors.forename: Tae-Bum
authors.initials: TB
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: 2 Gochang Black Raspberry Research Institute , Gochang, Korea.
authors.forename: Ji-Wung
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Kwon
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Cardiology, Cardiovascular Center, Korea University Anam Hospital , Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Hyung Joon
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Joo
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Cardiology, Cardiovascular Center, Korea University Anam Hospital , Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Jae Hyoung
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Cardiology, Cardiovascular Center, Korea University Anam Hospital , Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Cheol Woong
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Cardiology, Cardiovascular Center, Korea University Anam Hospital , Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Do-Sun
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Lim
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D066026:Endothelial Progenitor Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D065856:Rubus / Q000737:chemistry*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D059289:Vascular Stiffness / Q000187:drug effects*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: C508600:IL6 protein, human; D015850:Interleukin-6; D010936:Plant Extracts; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
keywords: augmentation index; black raspberry; central blood pressure; endothelial progenitor cells; metabolic syndrome