Evaluation of the Effects ofPinus koraiensisNeedle Extracts on Serum Lipid and Oxidative Stress in Adults with Borderline Dyslipidemia: A Randomized, Double-Blind, and Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial

Abstract

Background.Dyslipidemia has been well-known as a common metabolic disorder contributing to cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of thePinus koraiensisneedle extracts (PKE) on the blood cholesterol and oxidative stress.Method.We conducted a 12-week randomized, double-blinded controlled trial to examine the effect of PKE on blood lipid profiles in adults with borderline dyslipidemia. Thirty-three eligible persons were recruited and randomly assigned into PKE (n=20) and placebo groups (n=13). Serum lipids including total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein- (LDL-) cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein- (HDL-) cholesterol, very low-density lipoprotein- (VLDL-) cholesterol, and triglyceride were measured before and after trial. Serum insulin, glucose, and antioxidant indicators were also analyzed before and after trial and anthropometry and blood pressure were measured every 4 weeks.Results.After 12 weeks, PKE statically significant decreases in systolic blood pressure (p<0.05) and waist circumference (p<0.05) were observed. Also, VLDL-cholesterol significantly decreased (from24.4±10.0 mg/dL at baseline to18.4±4.1 mg/dL after 12 weeks) (p<0.05) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) increased (6.12±0.41 U/mL to9.06±0.62 U/mL) (p<0.01) in PKE group. However, after adjustment with WC, VLDL-cholesterol was not significant between groups (p=0.095) and while SOD remained significant between groups (p=0.013).Conclusion.The results show that PKE was effective in improving the superoxide dismutase in the individuals with borderline dyslipidemia.