MedPath

Tart Cherry, Metabolic Syndrome, and Cardiovascular Risk

Phase 2
Completed
Conditions
Metabolic Syndrome
Cardiovascular Diseases
Diabetes
Interventions
Dietary Supplement: Placebo
Dietary Supplement: Tart Cherry
Registration Number
NCT02154100
Lead Sponsor
Florida State University
Brief Summary

The hypothesis of this study is that the daily consumption of 480 ml tart cherry juice for twelve weeks will improve blood pressure and arterial stiffness by improving endothelial-mediated vasodilation and vascular sympathetic activity and favorably altering biochemical markers associated with cardiovascular risk. 28 men and women between the ages of 20 and 40 who have three of the five features of metabolic syndrome as defined by the Adult Treatment Panel III will be included in the study. After a two-week run-in phase, eligible men and women will be randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups: 1) 480 ml tart cherry juice or 2) 480 ml control drink daily for twelve weeks. After an initial telephone screening, all participants will be requested to report to the study site for their first visit. On the first visit (screening), participants will be provided with verbal and written explanation of the project. They will then be asked to sign an informed consent form, followed by measuring waist circumference, resting brachial blood pressure, fasting serum triglycerides, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, and glucose levels to confirm metabolic syndrome. Baseline assessments will be performed for medical history, medication use, dietary intake, and physical activity. Qualified participants will be scheduled for their second visit two weeks later (actual baseline data collection) and randomly assigned to their treatment group. On the second (baseline) visit between the hours of 7-10 A.M., blood pressure and vascular function will be measured followed by blood draw. Anthropometrics will be measured. Participants will be provided with their assigned treatment and will receive standard instructions on how to fill out daily diaries for their treatment, and for food and physical activity records. Blood pressure, vascular function, blood draw, and anthropometric, body composition, diet, and physical activity assessments will be repeated at 6- (third visit), and 12-week (final visit) intervals. All cardiovascular measurements will be performed between 7:00 to 10:00 A.M., in a quiet temperature-controlled room in the supine position after an overnight fast and 12 hours after the abstinence of caffeine and/or 24 hours after the last bout of moderate to heavy physical activity.

Detailed Description

Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
26
Inclusion Criteria
  • Three of the following five features at the screening visit:
  • Waist circumference of ≥ 40 inches for men and 35 inches for women
  • Serum triglycerides ≥ 150 mg/dL
  • Serum high density lipoprotein cholesterol levels < 40 mg/dL for men and <50 mg/dL for women
  • Blood pressure ≥ 130/85 mm Hg
  • Fasting blood glucose level ≥ 110 mg/dL
Exclusion Criteria
  • Taking hypoglycemic, antihypertensive or cholesterol-lowering medications
  • Diagnosed cardiovascular disease
  • Uncontrolled hypertension (≥ 160/100 mmHg)
  • Diabetes mellitus
  • Other active chronic diseases such as cancer, asthma, glaucoma, thyroid, kidney, liver and pancreatic disease
  • Participating in a weight loss program
  • Heavy smokers (> 20 cigarettes per day)
  • Heavy drinkers (> 12 alcoholic drinks per week)
  • Abnormal menstrual cycle

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
PlaceboPlacebo12 weeks tart cherry juice taken in two doses of 240 ml per day.
Tart CherryTart Cherry12 weeks of tart cherry juice taken in two doses of 240 ml per day.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Blood Pressure12 weeks

By measuring brachial and aortic blood pressure at rest and during physiological stress (handgrip exercise and post-exercise muscle ischemia).

Arterial Stiffness12 weeks

By measuring arterial stiffness and augmentation index at rest and during physiological stress (handgrip exercise and post-exercise muscle ischemia).

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Autonomic Control of Blood Pressure12 weeks

By measuring blood pressure variability and baroreflex sensitivity at rest and during physiological stress.

Endothelial Function12 weeks

By measuring markers of endothelial function.

Endothelial-mediated Vasodilation12 weeks

By measuring flow-mediated dilation in the brachial artery.

Inflammation12 weeks

By measuring a marker of inflammation.

Oxidative Stress12 weeks

By measuring markers of oxidative stress.

Insulin Sensitivity12 weeks

By measuring fasting glucose, insulin, and homeostatic model assessments of insulin resistance, sensitivity, and beta cell function.

Atherogenic Markers12 weeks

By measuring adhesion factors, lipid profiles, and atherogenic risk ratios.

Body Composition12 weeks

By measuring fat mass and fat-free mass using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and anthropometrics.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Department of Nutrition, Food and Exercise Sciences, Center for Advancing Exercise and Nutrition Research on Aging, Florida State University

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Tallahassee, Florida, United States

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