Spices in a High-Saturated-Fat, High-Carbohydrate Meal Reduce Postprandial Proinflammatory Cytokine Secretion in Men with Overweight or Obesity: A 3-Period, Crossover, Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Background Postprandial inflammation that occurs concurrently with hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia after ingestion of a high-saturated-fat, high-carbohydrate meal (HFCM) is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Numerous preclinical and clinical studies demonstrate anti-inflammatory effects of individual spices. However, the effect of consumption of a spice blend on inflammatory mediators has not been examined in a randomized controlled trial. Objectives The objective of this study was to investigate the postprandial effect of a blend of spices in a HFCM on inflammatory cytokine responses. Methods Nonsmoking men (40–65 y old) with overweight/obesity (25 ≤ BMI ≤ 35 kg/m2), elevated waist circumference (≥ 94 cm), and ≥ 1 CVD risk factor were recruited for a 3-period crossover study ( n = 12). In random order, participants consumed the following: a HFCM (∼1000 kcal, 33% kcal from saturated fat and 36% kcal from carbohydrate), a HFCM containing 2 g spice blend, or an HFCM containing 6 g spice blend. The spice blend consisted of basil, bay leaf, black pepper, cinnamon, coriander, cumin, ginger, oregano, parsley, red pepper, rosemary, thyme, and turmeric. Blood was collected before, and hourly for 4 h after the HFCM. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated, and the percentage of CD14 +/Human Leukocyte Antigen-DR isotype + (HLA-DR +) monocytes and proinflammatory cytokine concentrations in plasma and LPS-stimulated PBMCs were quantified as secondary outcomes. Results There was a significant spice-by-time interaction on IL-1β (P < 0.001), IL-8 (P = 0.020), and TNF-α (P = 0.009) secretion from LPS-stimulated PBMCs. IL-1β secretion from LPS-stimulated PBMCs was significantly reduced (1314%) at 240 min after HFCM consumption containing 6 g, but not 2 g, of spice blend compared with 0 g spice blend. Conclusions A HFCM containing 6 g spice blend attenuated HFCM-induced postprandial IL-1β secretion in men with overweight/obesity. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT03064958.

Effect of Morning vs. Evening Turmeric Consumption on Urine Oxidative Stress Biomarkers in Obese, Middle-Aged Adults: A Feasibility Study

“…Changing the vehicle for the turmeric + piperine treatment from egg white to a high-fat, high-carbohydrate meal may further increase the likelihood of detecting a spice effect. A high-fat, high-carbohydrate meal is shown to provoke oxidative stress and an inflammatory response in humans [93][94][95][96]. In the context of such an oxidative stress challenge, previous investigators have demonstrated significant antioxidant effects of spices [96] and fruit polyphenols [93,94].…”

Intake of Dietary Salicylates from Herbs and Spices among Adult Polish Omnivores and Vegans

“…Several studies demonstrate therapeutic effects of phytochemicals from herbs and spices. These effects include, among others: hypotensive effects of turmeric, star anise, saffron, chili pepper, garlic and cinnamon [ 3 , 17 ]; anti-inflammatory effects of turmeric, ginger and cinnamon [ 11 , 18 ]; antibacterial and antifungal effects of cinnamon, clove, cumin, garlic, basil, oregano, thyme, turmeric and ginger [ 19 , 20 , 21 ]; antioxidant activities of clove, chili, cinnamon, cumin, ginger, oregano, sage, turmeric, marjoram, nutmeg and thyme [ 2 , 13 , 21 , 22 , 23 ]; antidiabetic properties of bay leaf, cinnamon, cumin, wormwood, fenugreek, mustard, marjoram and thyme [ 24 ]; immunomodulatory action of turmeric [ 25 ]; anti-obesity effects (including body weight and lipid-lowering effects) of carnosic acid in rosemary and sage and capsaicinoids in red chili pepper [ 26 ]; lipid-lowering effect of basil, fenugreek, curcumin, ginger, onion and garlic [ 13 ] and anti-cancer properties of cloves, black cumin, black pepper, basil, chili pepper, garlic, ginger, onion, oregano, saffron, turmeric, thyme and marjoram [ 27 , 28 ].…”

Effects of Acute Cocoa Supplementation on Postprandial Apolipoproteins, Lipoprotein Subclasses, and Inflammatory Biomarkers in Adults with Type 2 Diabetes after a High-Fat Meal

“…For example, cranberries and raspberries dampened postprandial elevations of serum IL-6 and IL-18, respectively, in adults with obesity and T2D after a HF breakfast [ 56 , 57 ]. Further, Oh et al recently showed that a spice blend supplement (6 g) taken with a HF, high-carbohydrate meal reduced IL-1β, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor-α secretion by liposaccharide-stimulated (LPS) peripheral blood mononuclear cells of men who had overweight or obesity [ 58 ]. In the present study, polyphenol-rich cocoa did not affect serum IL-6, IL-1β, or nitrite but lowered IL-18 compared to the placebo.…”