Evaluation of Agraz Consumption on Adipocytokines, Inflammation, and Oxidative Stress Markers in Women with Metabolic Syndrome

Abstract

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.

Differential Effects of Agraz (<i>Vaccinium meridionale</i> Swartz) Consumption in Overweight and Obese Women with Metabolic Syndrome

“…Adherence was 94.8%, indicating a suitable consumption of both beverages. No changes in diet and physical activity were found during the whole intervention (agraz versus placebo) as previously reported [27]. Importantly, there were not differences in age, energy, fat, carbohydrate, and protein intakes, nor physical activity between obese and overweight women ( Table 1 and Table 2).…”

“…In 2018, Torres et al, showed that 21 days of osmodehydrated Andean berry consumption in overweight subjects caused reductions of some CVRF like blood pressure, BMI and WC [25]. Previously, we reported beneficial effects after 4-weeks of agraz consumption in this same group of women with MetS, with increases in TAC [26] and reduction in DNA oxidative damage [27]. However, there are limited studies evaluating the effect of consumption of a polyphenol-rich beverage of agraz on OxS markers and antioxidant capacity comparing people with different BMI classification.…”

“…Forty women (25-60 years) with MetS from Medellín-Colombia, were included in this double-blind, crossover design and placebo-controlled study. MetS was defined according to the NCEP ATP-III guidelines [4], as previously described [27]. Women were analyzed according to their BMI as overweight (n=22) and obese (n=18) [28].…”

Dietary berries, insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes: an overview of human feeding trials

“…71 Anti-inflammatory effects were also observed in human studies of MetS when bilberries were added to a healthy diet, 72 or following supplementation with acai berries 73 or Colombian blueberries. 74 On the other hand, dietary berries did not affect blood glucose or insulin resistance in these non-acute feeding studies of people with MetS. The null effects on glycemic control may be explained by normal glucose profiles at baseline, despite the presence of MetS.…”

Effect of Agraz (Vaccinium meridionale Swartz) on High-Density Lipoprotein Function and Inflammation in Women with Metabolic Syndrome

“…Placebo was designed to match the agraz beverage in terms of look, feel, taste, and macronutrients but without any polyphenols. The physico-chemical characterization, antioxidant capacity, total phenols and anthocyanin composition of agraz and placebo used in this study has been previously described [37]. During the whole study, including the washout period, volunteers were asked to abstain from consuming polyphenol-rich foods such as grapes, other berries, wine and tea or derived products.…”