Consumption of pomegranate juice decreases blood lipid peroxidation and levels of arachidonic acid in women with metabolic syndrome

• Published in: Journal of the science of food and agriculture Vol. 97; no. 6; pp. 1798 - 1804
• Main Authors: Kojadinovic, Milica I, Arsic, Aleksandra C, Debeljak‐Martacic, Jasmina D, Konic‐Ristic, Aleksandra I, Kardum, Nevena Dj, Popovic, Tamara B, Glibetic, Marija D
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Chichester, UK John Wiley & Sons, Ltd 01.04.2017; John Wiley and Sons, Limited
• Subjects: Adult; antioxidants; Arachidonic acid; Arachidonic Acid - blood; blood lipids; blood pressure; Consumption; Erythrocytes; fatty acid; Fatty acids; Female; Fruit - chemistry; Fruit - metabolism; Fruit and Vegetable Juices - analysis; Fruit juices; health promotion; Humans; Juices; lipid metabolism; Lipid Peroxidation; Lipids; Lipids - blood; Metabolic diseases; Metabolic syndrome; Metabolic Syndrome - blood; Metabolic Syndrome - diet therapy; Middle Aged; monounsaturated fatty acids; phospholipid fatty acids; polyphenols; pomegranate juice; Pomegranates; Punicaceae - chemistry; Punicaceae - metabolism; saturated fatty acids; thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances; Women; arachidonic acid; metabolic syndrome; fatty acid; pomegranate juice; lipid peroxidation
• ISSN: 0022-5142; 1097-0010; 1097-0010
• DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.7977

BACKGROUND Pomegranate juice is a rich source of polyphenols and is thus a promising dietary antioxidant with numerous health‐promoting effects. These include a beneficial impact on cardiovascular health that could be partly attributed to the effects of polyphenols on lipid metabolism. The aim of this study was to investigate whether consumption of pomegranate juice for 6 weeks could modify lipid peroxidation and phospholipid fatty acid composition of plasma and erythrocytes in subjects with metabolic syndrome. Twenty‐three women, aged 40–60 years, were enrolled and randomly assigned into two groups: the intervention group, in which each participant consumed 300 mL of juice per day for 6 weeks; and a control group. RESULTS A statistically significant decrease in the relative amount of arachidonic acid (P < 0.05) and an increase in the relative amount of saturated fatty acids (P < 0.05) were observed in the intervention group at the end of the consumption period. In addition, pomegranate juice significantly increased the relative amount of total mono‐unsaturated fatty acids (P < 0.05), and significantly decreased the levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances in erythrocytes (P < 0.05). The status of blood lipids and the values for blood pressure were not changed during the study. CONCLUSION The results obtained indicate a positive impact of the consumption of pomegranate juice on lipid peroxidation and fatty acid status in subjects with metabolic syndrome and suggest potential anti‐inflammatory and cardio‐protective effects. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry