Written by Tatjana Djakovic, Staff Writer. A study which involved 23 patients indicated that after 8 weeks of treatment, the amount of arteries dilated increased from 5.3% to 7.0% while no change was observed in the placebo group.
Coronary artery disease is a narrowing of blood vessels that supply blood and oxygen to the heart. It was responsible for one of every six deaths in the United States in 2008. Approximately every 25 seconds, an American will have a coronary event, and approximately every minute, someone will die of one. (1) It is caused by a buildup of a fatty material called plaque, resulting in a disease called atherosclerosis, which is narrowing and hardening of the arteries. As a result, blood flow to the heart can slow down or stop, leading to a heart attack or death. (2)
An extract from a French pine tree bark contains pycnogenol, which is an antioxidant that protects against inflammation and blood clotting, but its effects on arteries of the heart are still unclear. In a recent study, researchers examined the effects of pycnogenol in reducing the clogging of the arteries. Pycnogenol is thought to inhibit the destructive effects of oxidative stress, a process in which molecules called free radicals interfere with normal cellular function. In addition, pycnogenol works in part by inhibiting MMP-9 (matrix metalloproteinase 9), a protein in the blood which is thought to contribute to plaque formation by changing the lining of the arterial wall known as the endothelium. (3)
The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over study involved twenty-three patients aged 49-73 with coronary artery disease (CAD). The study design consisted of two parts, in which the patients were randomized to receive 200 mg of pycnogenol daily for 8 weeks, or matching placebo. The patients were assessed by having their blood samples drawn, blood pressure measured and any adverse events recorded. In addition, the level of atherosclerosis was assessed using a test known as FMD (Flow-mediated dialation). The non-invasive procedure consists of causing a temporary obstruction to blood flow for a period of about 5 minutes, followed by a release and observing how well the arteries dilate. (4) If the arteries fail to dilate well, it is a sign that they have lost their elasticity and have significant plaque formation.
The results of the study showed that after 8 weeks of treatment with pycnogenol, the amount the arteries dilated increased from 5.3% to 7.0%, indicating a decrease in atherosclerosis. It remained unchanged in the placebo group. Additionally, a molecule in the blood called F2-isoprostane used to measure the levels of oxidative stress showed a decrease 7% compared with placebo. (3) This study suggests that the natural antioxidant pycnogenol improves heart function in patients with coronary artery disease by decreasing oxidative stress.
Source: Enseleit, Frank, et al. “Effects of Pycnogenol on endothelial function in patients with stable coronary artery disease: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, cross-over study.” European heart journal 33.13 (2012): 1589-1597.
© The Author 2012
Posted July 11, 2012.
Tatjana Djakovic, MS, graduated from Roosevelt College in 2011, with a concentration in biochemistry. Her research was in determining antioxidants and macronutrients in herbal teas. She is originally from Gospic, Croatia and currently resides in Carol Stream, IL.
