This article contains findings obtained from research on animals:
- The results from animal research studies should not be directly applied to humans and the results may not generalise to the human population.
- There may be significant differences between species in terms of physiology, physiology, and pharmacology, as well as differences in the way diseases and treatments are modelled in animals.
- Any conclusions drawn from animal research should be considered with caution and in the context of other types of research studies such as observational studies, clinical trials, and reviews of the literature.
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A new method for assessing the effects of therapies on atherosclerosis shows that pomegranate juice/extract has a significant influence on carotid vessel-wall-plus-plaque thickness.
2021 Ultrasound in Medicine & Biology Three-dimensional ultrasound assessment of effects of therapies on carotid atherosclerosis using vessel wall thickness maps Zhao Y, Spence JD, Chiu B
Randomised Controlled Trial Atherosclerosis Pomegranate Ultrasound
The study utilized a tracked weighted average of carotid vessel-wall-plus-plaque thickness change in patients who've been randomly assigned to consume pomegranate juice/extract or placebo. Three-dimensional ultrasound images of patients' arteries were captured initially and a year later. These images were reassembled into three-dimensional maps and then projected onto a carotid template to create two-dimensional maps. A weight was calculated at every point on the two-dimensional map to spotlight the anatomic locations where plaque progression or regression was likely. The method used accounted for misalignment within a single subject and across various subjects to deliver a more precise assessment.
The results showed a remarkable difference between patients who consumed pomegranate juice/extract and those who took placebo, based on the weighted average of vascular wall thickness change, observed from the two-dimensional maps with aligned correspondence. Thus, the study concluded that pomegranate juice/extract significantly impacts atherosclerosis, underscoring its value in the context of therapy. This methodical approach also significantly heightened the cost-effectiveness of preliminary trials for new atherosclerosis therapies.
Pomegranate juice intake for two weeks significantly reduces blood pressure and may improve heart health by lowering vascular endothelial adhesion molecule-1 levels.
2013 Phytotherapy Research Clinical Evaluation of Blood Pressure Lowering, Endothelial Function Improving, Hypolipidemic and Anti‐Inflammatory Effects of Pomegranate Juice in Hypertensive Subjects Asgary S, Sahebkar A, Afshani MR, Keshvari M, Haghjooyjavanmard S, Rafieian‐Kopaei M
Clinical Study High Blood Pressure Hypolipidemic Pomegranate
In the experiment, twenty-one hypertensive participants, aged between 30 to 67 years, were gathered and randomly assigned to consume either 150ml of fresh pomegranate juice per day or an equal quantity of water for a period of two weeks. The pomegranate juice was consumed in a single occasion between lunch and dinner. The blood pressure of these subjects, including systolic and diastolic pressures, were measured before and after the trial period. Additionally, levels of specific elements including lipid profile parameters, apolipoproteins A and B, intracellular adhesion molecule-1, vascular endothelial adhesion molecule 1, E-selectin, and other inflammatory and endothelial function biomarkers such as high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and interleukin-6, were also measured.
The results showed that the consumption of pomegranate juice was associated with notable reductions in both systolic and diastolic blood pressures. The intake of pomegranate juice also resulted in a significant decrease in levels of vascular endothelial adhesion molecule 1, even though there was an increase in E-selectin levels. No observable influence appeared on the levels of intracellular adhesion molecule-1, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, lipid profile parameters, apolipoproteins, or interleukin-6 from the juice consumption, indicating that pomegranate juice may specifically target certain elements related to heart health.
Pomegranate polyphenols have notable antioxidant and antiatherogenic effects that lessen cholesterol, oxidized lipids accumulation, and atherosclerosis development in arterial macrophages.
2012 Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine Pomegranate Protection against Cardiovascular Diseases Aviram M, Rosenblat M
Experimental Study Atherosclerosis Pomegranate
The research utilizes both in vitro and in vivo human and mouse models to explore the impact of pomegranate polyphenols. Specifically, the study investigates its effects on serum lipoproteins and arterial macrophages, two major components of atherosclerotic lesions. The study administers pomegranate juice and its by-products to the models for observational testing.
The results indicate that pomegranate polyphenols significantly curtailed the accumulation of cholesterol and oxidized lipids in macrophages, as well as the formation of foam cells, a key factor in early atherogenesis. Consequently, this led to the deceleration of atherosclerosis development and its associated cardiovascular events. This suggests the potentially potent antioxidant and antiatherogenic properties of pomegranate polyphenols and their beneficial effects on cardiovascular health.