CLINICAL RESEARCH
A double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial to assess the effects of a combined nutraceutical on endothelial function in patients with mild-to-moderate hypercholesterolaemia
 
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1
Cardiovascular Prevention Unit, Hospital Department ASL Frosinone, Italy
 
2
Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Italy
 
3
Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Unit, ASL, Frosinone, Italy
 
4
Cardiology and Cardiological Intensive Care Unit, ASL Frosinone, Italy
 
5
Pneumology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, University of L’Aquila, Italy
 
6
Policlinico Umberto I University “La Sapienza”, Rome, Italy
 
 
Submission date: 2020-03-17
 
 
Acceptance date: 2020-04-18
 
 
Publication date: 2020-05-07
 
 
Arch Med Sci Atheroscler Dis 2020;5(1):36-42
 
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ABSTRACT
Introduction:
There is growing interest in lipid-lowering nutraceuticals; however, there are a relative scarcity of data on combined compounds. This study was aimed to assess the efficacy and tolerability of a combined nutraceutical (CARDIOL® Forte – CF) containing polyunsaturated fatty acids, hydroxytyrosol, Coenzyme Q10, folic acid, B12 and E vitamins, piperine, and red yeast rice in patients with mild-to-moderate hypercholesterolaemia.

Material and methods:
In this single-centre, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study enrolled subjects who were randomised to receive the tested combined nutraceutical for 16 weeks (CF group) or placebo (control group), in association with a low-fat diet. After 8 weeks of treatment, all patients underwent a 15-day washout period; then, a further 8 weeks of treatment was planned.

Results:
Of 80 enrolled subjects, 37 completed the study in the CF group and 38 in the control group. After 8 weeks of treatment, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were reduced by 17% in the CF group and by 6.4% in the control group, compared to baseline (p = 0.0001); these changes were improved at the end of study. Total cholesterol and triglyceride levels significantly decreased during treatment; high-density lipoprotein cholesterol did not change. In the CF group, flow-mediated dilation increased by 18.8% after 8 weeks and by 39.3% at the end of treatment. No adverse events or musculoskeletal disorders were reported in either group.

Conclusions:
The tested combined nutraceutical, in association with a controlled diet, can reduce cholesterol levels and improve endothelial function, thus reducing the cardiovascular risk in patients with mild-to-moderate hypercholesterolaemia.

ISSN:2451-0629
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