MedPath

Impact of Pomegranate Seed Oil on Postprandial Cardiovascular Disease Risk Markers

Not Applicable
Recruiting
Conditions
Postmenopausal Women
Interventions
Dietary Supplement: Mixed vegetable oil
Dietary Supplement: Pomegranate seed oil
Registration Number
NCT06042673
Lead Sponsor
University of Reading
Brief Summary

Dietary fat plays a crucial role as a modifiable risk factor influencing both non-fasting lipaemia and vascular reactivity. Notably, the intake of dietary saturated fatty acids (SFAs) has been associated with adverse effects on blood lipid profiles, whereas increased consumption of unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs) has shown potential to improve lipid health. Pomegranate seed oil (PSO) stands out due to its high content of conjugated α-linolenic acids (CLnAs). However, research comparing the impact of these fatty acids on postprandial vascular function, particularly in postmenopausal women, remains limited. A cross-over, single-blind, randomised acute postprandial study will be conducted in 15 healthy postmenopausal women. Participants will be assigned to consume the test meals either a placebo (50 g of mixed fat; 4:0.5:0.5 palm oil: rapeseed oil: safflower oil) or PSO (40 g of mixed fat and 10g of PSO) in random order on 2 separate occasions, with 4-6 weeks between each study visit. The anthropometric, blood pressure, and arterial stiffness, will be taken for each study visit. Blood samples will be collected for the measurement of fasting lipids, glucose, insulin, inflammatory markers, and whole blood culture. The findings from this study will contribute to the evidence base on how consuming meals rich in PSO influence the level of blood lipids as well as other biomarkers for cardiovascular disease.

Detailed Description

Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
RECRUITING
Sex
Female
Target Recruitment
15
Inclusion Criteria
  • Postmenopausal women who have been postmenopausal for at least 12 months.
  • Aged 65 and under years
  • Serum TAG < 2.3 mmol/l
  • Body mass index (BMI) between 18-35 kg/m2
  • Fasting total cholesterol < 7.5 mmol/l
  • Fasting glucose concentration <7 mmol/L
Exclusion Criteria
  • Smokers
  • Medical history of myocardial infarction or stroke in the past 12 months
  • Diabetes (defined as fasting glucose > 7.0 mmol/l) or other endocrine disorders
  • Kidney, liver, pancreas or gastrointestinal disorder
  • Hypertension (blood pressure > 140/90 mmHg), cancer, medication for hyperlipidaemia (e.g. statins), hypertension or, inflammation
  • Anaemia (<115 g/L haemoglobin)
  • Taking any dietary supplements known to influence lipids/gut microbiota (e.g. plant stanols, fish oil, phytochemicals, natural laxatives, probiotics and prebiotics)
  • Drinking in excess of 14 units of alcohol per week
  • Planning on a weight-reducing regime
  • Parallel participation in another dietary intervention study
  • Any other unusual medical history or diet and lifestyle habits or practices that would preclude volunteers from participating in a dietary intervention and metabolic study

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
CROSSOVER
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
mixed vegetable oilMixed vegetable oilParticipants will be asked to consume breakfast (0 minute) containing mixed vegetable oil
Pomegranate seed oilPomegranate seed oilParticipants will be asked to consume breakfast (0 minute) containing pomegranate seed oil
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change from baseline in postprandial triacylglycerolAcute study: taken at 0 (baseline), 30, 60, 90, 120, 180, 240, 300, 360, 420, 480 minutes

Triacylglycerol

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change from baseline in postprandial blood pressureAcute study: taken at 0 (baseline), 120, 240, 360 and 480 minutes

Systolic and diastolic blood pressure Systolic and diastolic blood pressure Systolic and diastolic blood pressure Systolic and diastolic blood pressure

Change from baseline in postprandial endothelial activationAcute study: taken at 0 (baseline),180, 300 and 420 minutes

E-selectin, P-selectin, vascular cell adhesion molecule 1, intercellular adhesion molecule-1

Change from baseline endothelial microvascular functionAcute study: taken at 0 (baseline),180, 300 and 420 minutes

Laser Doppler imaging (LDI) with iontophoresis

Fasting blood lipidsAcute study: taken at 0 (baseline), 30, 60, 90, 120, 180, 240, 300, 360, 420, 480 minutes

Total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol

Change from baseline in postprandial insulinAcute study: taken at 0 (baseline), 30, 60, 90, 120, 180, 240, 300, 360, 420, 480 minutes

Insulin

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences, University of Reading

🇬🇧

Reading, United Kingdom

© Copyright 2025. All Rights Reserved by MedPath