Document Type : Original Article(s)
Authors
- Ali Javandoost 1
- Asma Afshari 2
- Irandokht Nikbakht-Jam 1
- Mohammad Khademi 3
- Saied Eslami 4
- Mina Nosrati 5
- Mojtaba Foroutan-Tanha 6
- Amirhossein Sahebkar 7
- Shima Tavalaie 5
- Majid Ghayour-Mobarhan 8
- Gordon Ferns 9
- Farzin Hadizadeh 10
- Abolghasem Tabassi 11
- Ahmad Mohajeri 12
1 Metabolic Syndrome Research Center AND School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
2 Assistant Professor, Department of Nutrition, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
3 PhD Candidate, Student Research Committee, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
4 Professor, Pharmaceutical Research Center AND School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
5 Biochemistry and Nutrition Research Center AND School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
6 Metabolic Syndrome Research Center AND Cardiovascular Research Center AND School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
7 Associate Professor, Department of Sciences and Technologies, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
8 Professor, Cardiovascular Research Center AND Metabolic Syndrome Research Center AND School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
9 School of Brighton and Sussex Medical, Division of Medical Education, Mayfield House, University of Brighton, Brighton, UK
10 Professor, Biotechnology Research Center AND School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
11 Pharmacological Research Center of Medicinal Plants AND School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
12 Associate Professor, Pharmacological Research Center of Medicinal Plants, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Metabolic syndrome is defined by insulin resistance and a clustering of other cardiovascular risk factors. Crocin is a carotenoid derived from the stigmas of the saffron flower and had previously been shown to affect lipid profile. However, the mechanism for this function is not well understood. The present trial aimed to investigate the possible effect of crocin on plasma levels of cholesteryl ester transfer protein and lipid profile in individuals with metabolic syndrome. METHODS: This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, clinical trial consisting of an 8-week treatment with crocin, or placebo tablets between April and June 2014, in the Nutrition Clinic of Ghaem Teaching Hospital, Mashhad, Iran. Participants were randomly assigned to take a 30 mg/day crocin (n = 22) in the intervention group or placebo (n = 22) in the control group. Anthropometric, hematological and biochemical parameters were measured and recorded during pre and post-treatment periods. RESULTS: Whilst plasma cholesteryl ester transfer protein was increased in the group taking the crocin tablet by 27.81% during the trial period (P = 0.013), the difference between the crocin and placebo groups was not significant (P = 0.116). Moreover, the percent changes in cholesterol (P = 0.702), triglyceride (P = 0.080), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) (P = 0.986), high-density lipoprotein (HDL) (P = 0.687) and fasting blood glucose (P = 0.614) did not differ significantly between intervention and control groups. CONCLUSION: Although crocin supplements increased the serum cholesteryl ester transfer protein in patients with metabolic syndrome, this change was not significant between treatment and placebo groups.
Keywords
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