Chlorogenic Acid and Luteolin Improve Hepatic and Cardiometabolic Function in Patients with Metabolic Syndrome

by | Nov 19, 2019 | 2019, Antioxidants, Cardiovascular Health, Metabolic Syndrome

Written by Angeline A. De Leon, Staff Writer.  A 6-month supplementation with Altilix®, containing derivatives of chlorogenic acid and luteolin, improved hepatic and cardiometabolic parameters in participating subjects with metabolic syndrome.

weight controlReferring to a cluster of conditions which together increase risk of heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) is estimated in about one fifth of adults in Western countries 1. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is considered a hepatic expression of MetS 2 and is itself associated with poor metabolic health 3. Given an apparent lack of standardized drug treatments for MetS and NAFLD, there has been a surge of interest in nutraceutical products that might help facilitate management of cardiometabolic disease 4. Epidemiological research has discovered, for example, the hepatoprotective and lipid-lowering effects associated with artichoke extract 5. Artichoke extract demonstrates effective improvement of serum oxidized low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) in patients with MetS 6, has been found to improve liver function in those with chronic liver disease 7, and in general exhibits dose-dependent inhibition of oxidative stress 8. This antioxidant activity of artichoke extract is thought to be primarily associated with chlorogenic acid and luteolin, active antioxidant flavonoid compounds inherent in its profile 8. Thus, in a 2019 study 9 published in Nutrients, researchers evaluated the effects of a supplement (Altilix®) containing chlorogenic acid and luteolin, along with their derivatives, on parameters of cardiometabolic and hepatic function in subjects with MetS.

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted in a group of 100 subjects (mean age = 63 +/- 9 years) with a diagnosis of MetS and a body mass index (BMI) > 25 kg/m2.  Patients were randomly assigned to receive 150 mg Altilix® (containing 10-12% chlorogenic acid plus derivatives and 2-4% luteolin plus derivatives) or placebo daily for 6 months. At baseline and at the end of 6 months, anthropometric measurements were taken and plasma and serum samples were collected and analyzed to determine lipid profile, glycemic-related variables, hepatic enzymes, fatty liver index (FLI), and serum cytokine concentrations. Carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) was measured using doppler ultrasound and endothelial function was assessed using flow-mediated dilation (FMD) of the brachial artery.

At the end of the study, significant improvements were detected for the active treatment group vs. placebo in relation to anthropometric parameters [body weight (p < 0.001), BMI (p < 0.001), waist circumference (p = 0.003)], glucose metabolism parameters [glycosylated hemoglobin; homeostatic model assessment (HOMA) of insulin response, HOMA-IR; HOMA of β-cell function, HOMA- β (p = 0.001 for all)], lipid profile [total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-C (p < 0.001 for all)], and hepatic enzymes (alanine aminotransferase, ALT; aspartate aminotransferase, AST; AST/ALT ratio (p < 0.001 for all)]. Compared to placebo, the Altilix® group also demonstrated significant improvements in FLI (-21.83%), as well as FMD (10.56%) and cIMT (-34.48%) (p < 0.001 for all). A subgroup analysis based on FLI scores indicated that across all subgroups (non-NAFLD, borderline NAFLD, and NAFLD), a similar improvement was apparent for glycemic variables, plasma lipids, and hepatic enzymes, as well for FLI, cIMT, and FMD (mostly p < 0.001 for all parameters).

Using a broad range of cardiometabolic parameters, along with measures of liver function, the current study provides strong evidence to support the therapeutic benefits of an artichoke extract-based supplement for MetS and NAFLD. In addition to improving body weight measurements, lipid profile, glucose metabolism, and liver function, Altilix® was associated with significant improvement of endothelial function (based on cIMT and FMD), an important marker of atherosclerosis. Improvement in cardiometabolic measures was also shown to be unrelated to the degree of hepatic steatosis, suggesting a potential preventative effect in association with Altilix®. Further research is needed to elucidate the mechanisms of action underlying the clinical outcomes observed in the present study. Given the limitation of a relatively short follow-up period, results should also be replicated using a time frame greater than 6 months.

Source: Castellino G, Nikolic D, Maga-Fernandez A, et al. Altilix® supplement containing chlorogenic acid and luteolin improved hepatic and cardiometabolic parameters in subjects with metabolic syndrome: a 6-month randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Nutrients. 2019; 11: 2580. DOI: 10.3390/nu11112580.

© 2019 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

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Posted November 19, 2019.

Angeline A. De Leon, MA, graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2010, completing a bachelor’s degree in psychology, with a concentration in neuroscience. She received her master’s degree from The Ohio State University in 2013, where she studied clinical neuroscience within an integrative health program. Her specialized area of research involves the complementary use of neuroimaging and neuropsychology-based methodologies to examine how lifestyle factors, such as physical activity and meditation, can influence brain plasticity and enhance overall connectivity.

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