Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is characterized by increased oxidative stress and a pro-inflammatory state. Vaccinium meridionale Swartz (known as “agraz”) is a berry rich in polyphenolic compounds with demonstrated antioxidant activity and anti-inflammatory effects in preclinical studies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of agraz consumption on inflammatory and oxidative stress markers in women with MetS. Forty women with MetS (47 ± 9 years) were randomly assigned to consume daily either 200 mL of agraz nectar or placebo over four weeks in a double-blind, cross-over design study, separated by a 4-week washout period. Metabolic and inflammatory markers in serum and antioxidant/oxidative stress markers in serum and urine were assessed at the end of each period. Serum antioxidant capacity measured by the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method was significantly higher (p = 0.028), while urinary 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) was lower (p = 0.041) after agraz consumption, compared to placebo. In conclusion, consumption of agraz during four weeks increased serum antioxidant capacity and decreased a marker of DNA oxidative damage in women with MetS, compared to placebo. These results suggest that agraz consumption may play a protective role in patients with MetS.

Colombian berry (agraz) has demonstrated a high antioxidant content in vitro. On the present study, it was elaborated and characterized an agraz nectar, designed a placebo with similar physicochemical and sensorial characteristics of the agraz nectar, but without polyphenols; and evaluated their antioxidant capacity both in vitro and in vivo in adults with cardiovascular risk factors. The polyphenolic concentration of the agraz nectar and its antioxidant capacity was superior than other reported for this fruit. A high content of total cyanidins was observed in the freeze-dried agraz, but not delphinin was detected by HPLC. For the intervention study, sixty-six subjects, with at least three cardiometabolic risk factors, consumed agraz nectar or placebo daily during 4 weeks each, separated by a 4-week washout period. Total phenol concentration and antioxidant capacity in the participants' serum were not statistically different after consuming agraz nectar and placebo. However, women increased significantly their serum DPPH scavenging capacity after consuming agraz nectar, compared to placebo. This is one of the first studies showing data about the effects of this colombian berry on the antioxidant capacity in people with metabolic syndrome.

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is associated with low-grade inflammation and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) dysfunction. Polyphenol-rich foods may improve these alterations. Agraz is a fruit rich in polyphenols (mainly anthocyanins); however, there is limited information about its effects on human health. We evaluated the effects of agraz consumption as compared to placebo on HDL function and inflammation in women with MetS. Forty volunteers (25–60 years) were included in this double-blind crossover study. Women consumed agraz or placebo over 4 weeks; separated by a 4-week washout period. HDL function (apoliprotein-A1; paraoxonase 1 (PON1) activity; cholesterol efflux capacity), oxidative stress (myeloperoxidase (MPO), advanced oxidation protein products) and inflammatory markers (serum cytokines/chemokines and peripheral blood mononuclear cell nuclear factor-kB) were measured after each period. Compared to placebo, agraz consumption did not significantly change any of the biomarkers measured. Interestingly, only after agraz period there were significant positive correlations between PON1 activities and cholesterol efflux. Additionally, there were significant inverse correlations between changes in inflammatory markers and HDL function markers and positive correlations with oxidative markers. Although polyphenol-rich foods have been shown to be beneficial for certain conditions; polyphenol-rich agraz fruit consumption did not impact inflammation and HDL function in the current study of women with MetS.

In this study were evaluated the effects of the chronic consumption of agraz (Vaccinium meridionale) on antioxidant status and oxidative stress markers in 40 women with metabolic syndrome (MetS) (47.2 ± 9.4 years) through a double-blind, crossover design study, in which participants consumed daily agraz or placebo during 4 weeks, separated by a 4-wk washout period. At the end of each intervention period, endogenous antioxidant enzymes activity, serum total antioxidant capacity (TAC) (ferric reducing ability of plasma [FRAP]; Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity [ORAC] and 2,2ʹ-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) [ABTS]), and oxidative stress markers (Oxo-2ʹ-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and F2-isoprostane) were determined. Women who increased endogenous antioxidant enzymes activity and serum TAC after agraz consumption, compared to placebo, significantly reduced oxidative stress markers, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol (LDL-c) levels, and waist circumference, demonstrating beneficial effects in the group of women in whom antioxidant parameters increased after agraz consumption, evidencing an individual variability in response to the beverage consumed. Mejoras en el estado antioxidante después del consumo de agraz se asociaron con reducciones en factores de riesgo cardiovascular en mujeres con síndrome metabólico RESUMEN En este estudio se evaluaron los efectos del consumo crónico de agraz (Vaccinium meridionale) sobre el estado antioxidante y los marcadores de estrés oxidativo en 40 mujeres con síndrome metabólico (SM) (47,2 ± 9,4 años) mediante un estudio de diseño cruzado, doble ciego, en el que los participantes consumieron diariamente agraz o placebo durante 4 semanas, separados por un período de lavado de 4 semanas. Al final de cada período de intervención se midió la actividad de las enzimas antioxidantes endógenas, la capacidad antioxidante total en suero (capacidad reductora férrica del plasma [FRAP]; la capacidad de absorbancia de radicales de oxígeno [ORAC] y 2,2ʹ-azino-bis (3-etilbenzotiazolina)-Ácido 6-sulfónico) [ABTS]) y marcadores de estrés oxidativo (Oxo-2ʹ-desoxiguanosina (8-OHdG) y F2-isoprostano). Las mujeres que aumentaron la actividad de las enzimas antioxidantes endógenas y la capacidad antioxidante total sérica después del consumo de agraz, en comparación con el placebo, redujeron significativamente los marcadores de estrés oxidativo, el colesterol total, los niveles de colesterol LDL (c-LDL) y el perímetro abdominal, demostrando efectos benéficos en el grupo de mujeres que aumentaron los parámetros antioxidantes luego del consumo de agraz, evidenciando una variabilidad individual en respuesta a la bebida consumida.

Obesity implies higher cardiovascular risk (CVR) than overweight. Polyphenol-rich fruits have shown to ameliorate CVR factors (CVRF). It is not clear whether differential effects could be observed between obese and overweight people consuming these fruits. Objective: To evaluate the effects of agraz on CVRF in overweight and obese women with metabolic syndrome (MetS). Methods: Overweight (n=22) and obese (n=18) women (25-60 years) with MetS, were included in this crossover, double-blind and placebo-controlled study. They consumed agraz or placebo over 4-weeks separated by a 4-wk washout period. At the end of each period, the following parameters were measured: anthropometrics, blood pressure, serum lipid profile, glucose, insulin, adipokines, apolipoprotein (apo)-A1, high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), serum total antioxidant capacity (TAC), endogenous antioxidant enzymes and oxidative stress (OxS) markers. Results: Compared to placebo, agraz consumption significantly (p<0.05) reduced hs-CRP and urinary 8-hydroxy 2 deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) levels in overweight and obese women, respectively. In both groups, changes in antioxidant markers were significant (p<0.05) and negatively correlated with changes in CVR factors and OxS markers, respectively. Positive correlations were observed with cardioprotective markers. Conclusions: Agraz consumption had differential effects in overweight and obese women, with better effects on inflammation and OxS markers, respectively. Further studies should consider these differential responses when analyzing the results of an intervention, and eventually adjust to get better outcomes.

The metabolic syndrome (MS) is a constellation of related factors that increases the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. Vaccinium meridionale Swartz contains polyphenols that could modulate some components of MS. Epidemiological and intervention studies have shown differences between men and women in MS components and antioxidant capacity. The objective of this study is to compare between men and women with MS the effects of agraz consumption on insulin resistance, antioxidant capacity, and markers of oxidation and inflammation. Men and women diagnosed with MS according to the Adult Treatment Panel III criteria were recruited in a double-blind, crossover study of 12 weeks. Participants were assigned to consume agraz nectar or placebo over 4 weeks. After 4 weeks of washout, they were switched to the alternative treatment. At the end of each period, the components of the MS, insulin resistance, antioxidant capacity, and some oxidative (oxidized low-density lipoprotein [oxLDL]; thiobarbituric acid reactive substances) and inflammatory (high-sensitive C-reactive protein [hs-CRP]) markers were evaluated. After consuming agraz, there was a tendency to increase the levels of antioxidants and to reduce the levels of hs-CRP in both genders. In addition, women who increased their serum phenols after consuming agraz had a significant reduction in insulin resistance, which was different from the results in men. Regarding men, those who increased their serum antioxidant capacity after consuming agraz had a better effect on the reduction of oxLDL levels that was significant compared to women. There are important differences between genders in the effects of agraz consumption in adults with MS.