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Cardiometabolic Effects of Sweet Cherry Juice

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Obesity
Metabolic Syndrome
Registration Number
NCT03948061
Lead Sponsor
USDA, Western Human Nutrition Research Center
Brief Summary

This study aims to determine the effects of consuming sweet cherry juice on cardiovascular function, glucose regulation, and lipid status in overweight human subjects. The investigators hypothesize that sweet cherry juice consumption will improve metabolic and physiological status in overweight persons compared to a placebo.

Detailed Description

The investigators will conduct a randomized, cross-over study lasting 14 weeks and including 1 week for screening/enrollment, 1 week baseline assessment, and two intervention periods of 6 weeks each for the cherry juice and placebo interventions. Two test visits, 3 to 7 days apart, will occur before the start of intervention (baseline, or week 0) and then at weeks 6 and 12. Participants will be randomized to consume either the cherry juice or placebo beverage first, and will cross over to the alternate intervention immediately following the end of the first 6 weeks. Test Visit 1 will include measures of blood pressure, vascular tone, liver fat and stiffness, post-prandial metabolic response to the study beverage, cardiovascular activity and function, and nervous system control of cardiovascular activity and tone. Acute effects of study beverages will be measured, as will the chronic effects of study beverage consumption after 6 weeks. At Test Visit 2, participants will take a standard 75 gram oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Participants will be equipped with physiological monitoring devices, which will monitor cardiovascular activity and function and nervous system control of cardiovascular activity and tone, and continuously measure blood pressure. A series of cognitive function tasks will be administered, and a mental stress test will be conducted. The Test Visit 1 and 2 will be repeated at week 6 and week 12 following each intervention with cherry juice or the placebo beverage.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
4
Inclusion Criteria
  • Men aged 20 - 65 years
  • Post-menopausal women aged 45 - 65 years
  • Body Mass Index ≥25 and <40 kg/m2
  • Systolic blood pressure >120 and <140 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure >80 and <90 mmHg
Exclusion Criteria
  • Diagnosed metabolic disorder
  • Diabetes mellitus
  • Thyroid disease
  • Cardiovascular disease
  • Poly-cystic ovary syndrome
  • Vasoconstrictive diseases (e.g. Raynaud's phenomenon or Raynaud's disease)
  • Digestive disorder (e.g. Crohn's, irritable bowel syndrome, colitis)
  • History of gastrointestinal surgery affecting digestion and/or absorption
  • Use of medications for hypertension, hyperlipidemia, glycemic control, or weight loss
  • Use of medications such as steroids, statins, or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents
  • Routine use of over-the-counter medications
  • Weight change >5% in the past 6 months
  • Performing exercise greater than 60 minutes/day
  • Presence of a pacemaker or other internal electronic device controlling rhythm or pacing of heart excludes participant from MindWare procedure
  • Presence of atrial fibrillation or other arrhythmia excludes participant from MindWare procedure

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
CROSSOVER
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change in electrical activity of heartbeatWeek 0, 6 and 12

Assessed using electrocardiogram (ECG)

Change in diastolic blood pressureWeek 0, 6 and 12

Blood pressure measured using a Continuous Non-invasive Arterial Pressure (CNAP®) device in mmHg

Change in systolic blood pressureWeek 0, 6 and 12

Blood pressure measured using a Continuous Non-invasive Arterial Pressure (CNAP®) device in mmHg

Change in cardiac parasympathetic controlWeek 0, 6 and 12

Assessed using impedance cardiography (ICG) and ECG

Change in mean arterial blood pressureWeek 0, 6 and 12

Blood pressure measured using a Continuous Non-invasive Arterial Pressure (CNAP®) device in mmHg

Change in heart rate variabilityWeek 0, 6 and 12

Heart rate variability (HRV) assessed using a mobile device via ECG in millivolts

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change in attentive functionWeek 0, 6 and 12

Assessed using Stop Signal Task (STT) from CANTAB

Change in psycho-motor speedWeek 0, 6 and 12

Assessed using Reaction Time (RTI) task from CANTAB

Change in executive functionWeek 0, 6 and 12

Assessed using Cambridge Gambling Task (CGT), from Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB)

Change in liver stiffnessWeek 0, 6 and 12

Liver stiffness assessed from the shear wave speed with pulse echo ultrasound using the Fibroscan®

Change in salivary cortisol in response to stressprior to and 30, 60, 90 and 120 minutes after challenging task

Salivary cortisol measured by enzyme-linked immunoassay in nmol/liter

Change in body weightWeek 0, 6 and 12

Measured in kg

Change in mitochondrial respirationWeek 0, 6 and 12

Cellular bioenergetics measured as oxygen consumption rate (OCR)

Change in liver fatWeek 0, 6 and 12

Liver fat assessed from the Controlled Attenuation Parameter (CAP) computed from the liver stiffness measurement using the Fibroscan®

Change in chronic stressWeek 0, 6 and 12

Chronic stress measured using the Wheaton Chronic Stress Questionnaire. Individual scores range from 0 to 102, with higher scores indicating higher chronic stress.

Change in multitaskingWeek 0, 6 and 12

Assessed using Multitasking Test (MTT) from CANTAB

Change in peripheral insulin resistance (IR)Week 0, 6 and 12

Measured by Matsuda's sensitivity index

Change in social cognitionWeek 0, 6 and 12

Assessed using Emotional Recognition task (ERT) from CANTAB

Change in vascular functionWeek 0, 6 and 12

Peripheral arterial tone (PAT) determined using the EndoPAT expressed as the reactive hyperemia index (RHI)

Change in spatial memoryWeek 0, 6 and 12

Assessed using Spatial Working Memory (SWM) task from CANTAB

Change in verbal memoryWeek 0, 6 and 12

Assessed using Verbal Recognition Memory (VRM) task from CANTAB

Change in moodWeek 0, 6 and 12

Mood assessed using the Profile of Mood States (POMS) Standard Score. Total Mood Disturbance (TMD) score is found from the difference between "negative" subscales - "positive" subscales. Individual scores on the POMS range from -32 to 200 with higher scores indicating higher mood disturbance.

Change in waist circumferenceWeek 0, 6 and 12

Measured in cm

Change in activity levelWeek 0, 6 and 12

Measured by Stanford Brief Physical Activity questionnaire. Scale is categorical for two subscales: work physical activity and leisure time activity.

Change in neurological related biomarkersWeek 0, 6 and 12

Quantitative immunoassay of human neurological biomarkers on a multi-analyte profile

Change in perceived stressWeek 0, 6 and 12

Perceived stress measured using the Perceived stress scale (PSS). Scores on the PSS can range from 0 to 40 with higher scores indicating higher perceived stress. Responses for individual questions are summed to a total score.

Change in self-reported sleep qualityWeek 0, 6 and 12

Sleep quality assessed by self-report using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index

Change in hepatic insulin resistance (IR)Week 0, 6 and 12

Measured by homeostasis model assessment (HOMA)

Change in salivary cortisol in response to glucose tolerance testprior to and 120 minutes after glucose tolerance test

Salivary cortisol measured by enzyme-linked immunoassay in nmol/liter

Change in inflammation related biomarkersWeek 0, 6 and 12

Quantitative immunoassay of human inflammation biomarkers on a multi-analyte profile

Change in cardiovascular related biomarkersWeek 0, 6 and 12

Quantitative immunoassay of human cardiovascular biomarkers on a multi-analyte profile

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

USDA, ARS, Western Human Nutrition Research Center

🇺🇸

Davis, California, United States

USDA, ARS, Western Human Nutrition Research Center
🇺🇸Davis, California, United States

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