Insights & Discussion
Pomegranate polyphenols have notable antioxidant and antiatherogenic effects that lessen cholesterol, oxidized lipids accumulation, and atherosclerosis development in arterial macrophages.
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.
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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.