[Effect of anthocyanins from Aronia melanocarpa on blood pressure, concentration of endothelin-1 and lipids in patients with metabolic syndrome]. / Wplyw antocyjanin z aronii czarnoowocowej na cisnienie tetnicze oraz stezenie endoteliny-1 i lipidów u pacjentów z zespolem metabolicznym.

THE AIM OF THE STUDY: To estimate the influence of anthocyanins from Aronia melanocarpa on blood pressure, concentration of endothelin-1 (ET-1), serum lipids, fasting glucose, uric acid and membrane cholesterol in erythrocytes of patients (pts) with metabolic syndrome (MS). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study comprised 22 healthy volunteers and 25 pts with MS treated with anthocyanins (3 x 100 mg/d) for 2 months. Waist circumference (> or = 80 cm for women and > or =94 cm for men), triglicerydes (TG) level >150 mg/dl (1.7 mmol/l), cholesterol-HDL (HDL-C) level < 40 mg/dl (1.0 mmol/l) for men and <50 mg/dl (1.3 mmol/l) for women, systolic blood pressure (SBP) >130 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) >85 mmHg were inclusion criteria for patients with MS. Before and after 2 months of treatment the following parameters were determined: SBP, DBP, serum lipids (total cholesterol--TC, cholesterol LDL--LDL-C, cholesterol HDL--HDL-C, TG--by enzymatic method), membrane cholesterol in erythrocytes (method of IIcy), ET-1 (immunoenzymatic method), fasting glucose level was (colorimetric method), uric acid (enzymatic--colorimetric method). RESULTS: After two months therapy of anthocyanins from Aronia melanocarpa in comparison with baseline it was observed a significant decrease of: SBP (144.20 +/- 9.97 vs. 131.83 +/- 12.24 mmHg, p < 0.001) and DBP (87.20 +/- 9.9 vs. 82.13 +/- 10.33 mmHg, p < 0.05), TC (242.80 +/- 34.48 vs. 227.96 +/- 33.07 mg/dl, p < 0.001), LDL-C (158.71 +/- 35.78 vs. 146.21 +/- 34.63 mg/dl, p < 0.01), TG (215.92 +/- 63.61 vs. 187.58 +/- 90 mg/dl, p < 0.05), ET-1 (2.44 +/- 0.51 vs. 1.74 +/- 0.42 pg/ml, p < 0.001) and membrane cholesterol (4.85 +/- 0.65 vs. 2.81 +/- 0.54 mmol/Lpc, p < 0.001), uric acid and fasting blood glucose levels did not change significantly after study cessation. CONCLUSIONS: The results of our study show that anthocyanins from Aronia melanocarpa may be of benefit to patients with MS as for as atherosclerosis prevention is concerned. It seems to result from anthocyanins influence on blood pressure, serum lipid and endothelin-1 level.

[Melatonin in the treatment of atherosclerosis]. / Melatonina w leczeniu miazdiycy.

Atherosclerosis is currently concerned as a chronic inflammatory process, which is response to an endothelial damage. Therapy of atherosclerosis should influence on various mechanisms. Substances which can prevent and treat this disorder are still being investigated. Melatonin exerts anti-inflammatory and antioxidative properties, which implies that it can be useful in the treatment of atherosclerosis. Melatonin neutralizes ROS (reactive oxygen species), increases antioxidative enzymes activities and glutathione levels, prevents electron leakage from mitochondrial respiratory chain, acts synergistically with vitamins C, E, and glutathione. Melatonin reduces levels of proinflammatory cytokines: IL-6, IL-12, TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma. In vivo studies and experiments on animals melatonin exerts beneficial effect on serum lipids, prevents LDL oxidation, decreases TBARS levels, increases total antioxidant capacity. However, some studies suggest that melatonin can exert atherogenic effects in animals. Clinical studies on patients who are in risk of atherosclerosis development are required.