Short-term Effect of Fresh Pomegranate Juice on Serum Cortisol and Thyroxine in Patients with type 2 Diabetes

Abstract

Background: The effect of pomegranate juice on type 2 diabetic conditions has been determined in various occasions. However, such an effect on cortisol and thyroxine hormones, which are major controllers of energy metabolism, is not yet revealed. Objectives: this study, we intended to measure the short-term effect of fresh pomegranate juice on serum cortisol and thyroxine in patients with type 2 diabetes. Materials and Methods: This study was a randomized clinical trial in which 89 fasted patients with type 2 diabetes were supplemented with fresh pomegranate juice at a dose of 1.5 mL kg-1. Blood specimens were then collected before and at 1 and 3 hours after juice administration. Serum cortisol and thyroxine were assessed using commercial chemiluminescent-immunoassay kits. Results: Serum cortisol, but not thyroxine, was significantly (P < 0.0001) lower in patients with type 2 diabetes after ingesting fresh pomegranate juice. In addition, no significant correlation (r2 = 0.00003, P = 0.9569) was observed between cortisol response to fresh pomegranate juice and the level of fasting serum glucose in the recruited patients. Moreover, no significant difference (P = 0.9118) in cortisol response to fresh pomegranate juice was found between recruited males and females. Conclusions: In conclusion, fresh pomegranate juice decreased serum cortisol, 1 hour after juice ingestion, but not serum thyroxine 3 hours after juice ingestion, in patients with type 2 diabetes. In addition, cortisol response to fresh pomegranate juice was found not to be affected by patients’ gender and the level of fasting serum glucose.

Possible Beneficial Effects of Fresh Pomegranate Juice in SARS-CoV-2 Infection Conditions

“…Collectively, this evidence confirms the ACE inhibition activity and consequently the hypotensive response of pomegranate juice in the human body. Alternatively, in our recent published clinical trial, we have shown that the observed antihypertensive effect of fresh pomegranate juice in humans may be modulated by a reduction in the cortisol level [ 34 ].…”

“…Mechanistically, pomegranate juice may exert its antihyperglycemic response via enhancing β -cell function, reducing insulin resistance, decreasing cortisol level [ 34 ], and minimizing oxidative stress state [ 24 ], which is an imbalance between oxidants (e.g., reactive oxygen species) and antioxidants [ 51 , 52 ]. The later mechanistic route may be attributable to enhancing activity of vital antioxidant enzymes such as catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione reductase [ 53 ], direct neutralization of free radicals such as hydroxyl radical or superoxide ion, decreasing synthesis of resistin [ 54 ], which is a hormone secreted from adipose tissue and found to be associated with type 2 diabetes [ 55 ], increasing metal binding activity [ 56 ], and activating or inhibiting transcriptional factors such as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR- γ ) and/or nuclear factor- κ B (NF- κ B) [ 24 , 57 , 58 ].…”

Therapeutic Effects of Punica granatum (Pomegranate): An Updated Review of Clinical Trials

“…Intake of fresh PJ (1.5 mL/kg) on 89 T2D patients showed remarkable lower levels of serum cortisol one hour after consumption ( p < 0.0001) which was not related to FBG level or gender [ 103 ].…”