Abstract
Background: Previous work had shown the ability of an aqueous leaf and stem extract of Cissus quandrangularis (300 mg of CQR, CQR-300) to improve components of metabolic syndrome (MS) in overweight individuals.Objective: This small pilot study aimed to confirm the efficacy of CQR-300 in reducing the percentage body fat measured using two different methods—bioelectrical impedance assay versus dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA).Design: The study was an 8-week double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot trial on 67 individuals who were requested by a dietary counselor to maintain their normal exercise and dietary routines. Participants were randomly divided into two groups, placebo (32 participants) and the CQR-300 group (35 participants), and received 300 mg of corn starch or CQR-300 daily.Methods: Body fat was measured by bioelectrical impedance using a TANITA impedance meter and by DEXA, with blood samples taken at baseline and at 8 weeks for the measurement of lipid parameters.Results: After 8 weeks of treatment, participants of the placebo group showed a 1.05% decrease in body fat as determined by bioelectrical impedance analysis, but no difference using DEXA. In the same time period, the CQR-300 group had an 8.9% and 12.8% decreases in the body fat as measured by impedance and DEXA, respectively. These values were significantly (p < 0.05) lower than the placebo. Compared with the placebo, the CQR-300 group demonstrated significant (p < 0.05) decreases in the waist and hip circumferences, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, total cholesterol, triglycerides, fasting blood glucose, as well as leptin levels. On the contrary, there were significant (p < 0.05) increases in HDL-cholesterol and adiponectin levels.Conclusion: CQR-300 administered as a single 300 mg dose daily was effective in reducing body fat as well as improving blood parameters associated with MS.
Highlights
Overweight and obesity are pathologic conditions, in which excess body fat accumulates mainly in the adipose tissue to the extent that it may have adverse effects on health, leading to reduced life expectancy.[1]
Body fat was measured by bioelectrical impedance using a TANITA impedance meter and by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA), with blood samples taken at baseline and at 8 weeks for the measurement of lipid parameters
In the same time period, the CQR-300 group had an 8.9% and 12.8% decreases in the body fat as measured by impedance and DEXA, respectively
Summary
Overweight and obesity are pathologic conditions, in which excess body fat accumulates mainly in the adipose tissue to the extent that it may have adverse effects on health, leading to reduced life expectancy.[1]. Overweight and obese individuals exhibit perturbed energy and lipid metabolism, characterized by elevated blood levels of glucose, triglycerides, and low-density lipoproteins.[3,4] Their condition is associated with an increased oxidative damage to cellular constituents (proteins, lipids, and DNA) and increased inflammation as indicated by elevated levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin-1b, and other proinflammatory cytokines, which predispose to several major age-related diseases, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and possibly cognitive impairment, and Alzheimer’s disease.[5,6,7] Lifestyle changes, such as regular physical activity and nutrition improvement, are the basis for successful long-term weight loss and control of overweight and obesity.[8] Among dietary changes, indirect evidence from a number of epidemiologic studies suggests a beneficial role of foods such as beans, vegetables, and fruits.[9,10] The role of antioxidants in reducing the risk of metabolic syndrome (MS) has been reported.[11]. Previous work had shown the ability of an aqueous leaf and stem extract of Cissus quandrangularis (300 mg of CQR, CQR-300) to improve components of metabolic syndrome (MS) in overweight individuals
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