A nutraceutical with Citrus bergamia and Cynara cardunculus improves endothelial function in adults with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Samantha Maurotti, Roberta Pujia, Yvelise Ferro, Rosario Mare, Raffaella Russo, Adriana Coppola, Carmine Gazzaruso, Tiziana Montalcini, Arturo Pujia, Sara Paone, Vincenzo Mollace, Elisa Mazza

Journal: Nutrition (Burbank, Los Angeles County, Calif.) 2024;118():112294

PMID: 38042043

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Abstract

OBJECTIVE

Polyphenol intake may prevent hepatic steatosis and cardiovascular disease by potentially improving endothelial function. The purposes of this study are to investigate the association between fatty liver disease and endothelial dysfunction and to test the effects of a nutraceutical containing extracts made from Citrus bergamia and Cynara cardunculus on peripheral vascular endothelial function in adults with liver steatosis.

METHODS

We analyzed data from 32 individuals with hepatic steatosis and endothelial dysfunction (reactive hyperemia index ≤ 1.67). Sixteen subjects took 1 capsule/d (300 mg/d) containing Cynara cardunculus extract and bergamot polyphenol fraction, while the other 16 subjects matched for age, sex, and body mass index took 1 capsule/d of placebo (maltodextrin) for 12 wk. All anthropometric parameters were assessed at baseline and after 12 wk as were lipids, glucose, and reactive hyperemia index using an EndoPAT 2000.

RESULTS

The mean age was 52 ± 9 y. The mean reactive hyperemia index was 1.15 ± 0.4. After 12 wk, we found a greater increase in reactive hyperemia index in the participants taking the nutraceutical rather than placebo (0.58 ± 0.5 versus 0.13 ± 0.5; P = 0.02, respectively). The stepwise multivariable analysis confirmed a positive association between reactive hyperemia index change and the nutraceutical treatment (B = 0.38; P = 0.025) and negative association with reactive hyperemia index values at baseline (B = -0.81; P < 0.001). No association was found between the reduction in the amount of intrahepatic fat and the improvement of endothelial function (B = 0.002; P = 0.56).

CONCLUSIONS

A nutraceutical containing bergamot and artichoke extracts improves peripheral vascular endothelial function in adults with hepatic steatosis and early phase of atherosclerosis.

Address: Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Magna Græcia University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy.; Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Magna Græcia University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy.; Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Magna Græcia University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy. Electronic address: [email protected].; Diabetes and Endocrine-Metabolic Diseases Unit, Istituto Clinico Beato Matteo, Gruppo Ospedaliero San Donato, Vigevano, Italy.; Diabetes and Endocrine-Metabolic Diseases Unit, Istituto Clinico Beato Matteo, Gruppo Ospedaliero San Donato, Vigevano, Italy; Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.; Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Magna Græcia University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy; Research Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Metabolic Diseases (CR METDIS), Magna Græcia University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy.; Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Magna Græcia University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy; Research Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Metabolic Diseases (CR METDIS), Magna Græcia University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy.; Institute of Research for Food Safety & Health, Department of Health Sciences, Magna Græcia University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy.

DOI: 10.1016/j.nut.2023.112294

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MeSH Terms: Adult, Humans, Middle Aged, Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, Hyperemia, Citrus, Dietary Supplements, Polyphenols