Cardio-metabolic benefits of quercetin in elderly patients with metabolic syndrome

Abstract

BackgroundQuercetin is regarded as a promising phytochemical in treating metabolic syndrome (MetS). MethodsPresent study is a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial aimed at evaluating effects of quercetin on different aspects of MetS in patients aged 60 + . Study participants consumed two quercetin-containing or placebo tablets 3 times per day (daily dose = 240 mg) during 3 months. ResultsQuercetin administration decreased body weight (−0.32 kg; p = 0.007) and body mass index (−0.12 kg/m2; p = 0.01). The blood pressure was also decreased: systolic blood pressure: −7.7 mm Hg (p < 0.001), diastolic blood pressure: −4.1 mm Hg (p = 0.001) relative to baseline values; these effects remained statistically significant after controlling for age, sex and body mass index. Quercetin intervention also improved cholesterol metabolism (serum total cholesterol: −0.44 mmol/L; p = 0.003; low-density lipoprotein cholesterol: −0.41 mmol/L; p = 0.007) and decreased fasting plasma insulin (−2.01 μU/mL; p = 0.02) and glucose level at 2-hour oral glucose tolerance test (−0.78 mmol/L; p = 0.004). Telomere length and markers of oxidative stress were mostly unchanged except for glutathione level which was significantly decreased (−0.24 μM/L; p = 0.005) in the quercetin-treated group. ConclusionThese findings indicate that quercetin may be effective in treating MetS. This trial was registered by Ukrainian Registry of Clinical Trials on October 30, 2017 (registration №1339).