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Bromelain and Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Diabetes

Bromelain and Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Diabetes

Status
Completed
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT01524159
Acronym
BRCARDIO
Enrollment
72
Registered
2012-02-01
Start date
2011-06-30
Completion date
2011-12-31
Last updated
2012-09-24

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Cardiovascular Disease.

Keywords

cardiovascular disease

Brief summary

The purpose of the study is to evaluate the effect of dietary supplementation of bromelain (a proteolytic enzyme from the pineapple plant) on the reduction of plasma fibrinogen level among type 2 diabetic subjects who have a high risk of cardiovascular disease. The null hypothesis \[Ho\] is: there is no significant improvement in plasma fibrinogen, serum lipid profile, blood pressure, BMI, waist circumference and C-reactive protein for subjects with type 2 diabetes who are at risk of CVD following the intervention of bromelain supplementation compared to placebo group. The alternative hypothesis \[H1\] is: there is a significant improvement in plasma fibrinogen, serum lipid profile, blood pressure, BMI, waist circumference and C-reactive protein for subjects with type 2 diabetes who are at risk of CVD following the intervention of bromelain supplementation compared to placebo group.

Detailed description

According to American Heart Association (2010), heart disease and stroke are the No. 1 causes of death and disability among people with type 2 diabetes. At least 65% of people with diabetes die from some form of heart disease or stroke. Type 2 diabetes is associated with a two to fourfold increased incidence of ischemic cardiovascular events and markedly enhances the risk of stroke(Coutinho et al, 1999) due to a variety of associated risk factors that include high blood pressure, lipid disorders, high low-density lipoproteins (LDL) cholesterol, high triglycerides, low high-density lipoproteins (HDL) cholesterol, smoking, obesity, lack of physical activity and poorly controlled blood sugars(American Heart Association 2010). Bromelain, a crude extract from the pineapple plant, was first introduced as a therapeutic compound in 1957 (Heinicke & Gortner, 1957). Heinicke et al. (1971) reported that bromelain was effective for use in cardiovascular diseases as an inhibitor of blood platelet aggregation, minimizing the risk of arterial thrombosis and embolism. A literature review identified only three human studies (in Honolulu and Germany). In view of this review and the valuable therapeutic properties of bromelain to cardiovascular disease, there is a need for a study to confirm bromelain's use for cardiovasular disease. This study is a randomized placebo control, parallel design, and double blind, pilot efficacy study which was carried out in Hebei Yiling Hospital, China. The study assessed the effects of 12 weeks of bromelain (1050mg/day) supplementation on plasma fibrinogen level compared to usual care. Study participants were type 2 diabetes who have a risk of developing cardiovascular disease.

Interventions

DIETARY_SUPPLEMENTbromelain capsule

Bromelain group received bromelain capsule for 12 weeks period. The 1050 mg dosage of bromelain was divided into three capsules and to be taken two (2 x 350 mg) after breakfast and another one (350 mg) after dinner. The capsules should be taken two hours after the meals.

DIETARY_SUPPLEMENTplacebo (wheat starch)

Placebo group received placebo capsule (wheat starch) for 12 weeks period. The 1050 mg dosage of wheat starch was divided into three capsules and to be taken two (2 x 350 mg) after breakfast and another one (350 mg) after dinner. The capsules should be taken two hours after the meals.

Sponsors

London South Bank University
CollaboratorOTHER
Hebei Yiling Hospital
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
QUADRUPLE (Subject, Caregiver, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

* Age over 18 years old * Diagnosed type 2 diabetes (HbA1C at \>6,5%), who are at a risk of CVD indicated with the following risk parameters: * total cholesterol between 5.0 - 6.2 mmol/l (195.0 - 241.8 mg/dL), * Body Mass Index (BMI) \> 25 kg/m2 * Waist circumference \> 101.6 cm (40 inches) for men and \> 88.9 cm (35 inches) for women * Triglycerides \> 1.7 mmol/L (150mg/dL) * HDL-cholesterol \< 1 mmol/L (40 mg/dL) for men, \< 1.3 mmol/L (50 mg/dL) for women * LDL-cholesterol \> 2.6 mmol/L (100 mg/dL) * Blood pressure \> 140/90mm Hg

Exclusion criteria

* Pregnant or trying to become pregnant or lactating women * Subjects unwilling or unable to comply with study procedure * Subjects with severe health problems including renal disease, liver disease, cardiovascular disease, and other chronic ill health conditions. * Subjects on drug cardiovascular medication like warfarin, aspirin. * Subjects that are taking statins. * Subjects taking bromelain supplement and other herbal supplements known to be effective e.g. cinnamon. * Subjects have a history of allergic reactions to bee stings, olive tree pollen or pineapple. * Subjects have a history of occupational inhalant/skin contact with bromelain. * Subjects have diabetes ketoacidosis recently (past 2 weeks). * Unable to provide informed consent i.e. unable to follow diet control advice or not willing to follow study procedure. * Subjects who is on any Chinese herbs medication

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
fibrinogen12 weeksThis study is to assess the effects of 12 weeks of bromelain (1050mg/day) supplementation on plasma fibrinogen level compared to usual care.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Creatinine12 weeksThis study is to assess the effect of 12 weeks of bromelain (1050mg/day) supplementation on changes of creatinine(for kidney function test) compared to usual care.
Serum lipid profile (total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and triglycerides)12 weeksThis study is to assess the effects of 12 weeks of bromelain (1050mg/day) supplementation on changes of serum lipid profile compared to usual care.
HbA1c12 weeksThis study is to assess the effects of 12 weeks of bromelain (1050mg/day) supplementation on changes of HbA1c compared to usual care.
C-reactive protein12 weeksThis study is to assess the effects of 12 weeks of bromelain (1050mg/day) supplementation on changes of C-reactive protein compared to usual care.
blood urea nitrogen12 weeksThis study is to assess the changes of 12 weeks of bromelain (1050mg/day) supplementation on blood urea nitrogen(for kidney function test) compared to usual care.
Blood pressure12 weeksThis study is to assess the effects of 12 weeks of bromelain (1050mg/day) supplementation on changes of blood pressure compared to usual care.
Alanine transaminase12 weeksThis study is to assess the effect of 12 weeks of bromelain (1050mg/day) supplementation on changes of alanine transaminase (for liver function test) compared to usual care.
Aspartate aminotransferase12 weeksThis study is to assess the effect of 12 weeks of bromelain (1050mg/day) supplementation on changes of aspartate aminotransferase(for liver function test) compared to usual care.
Body Mass Index12 weeksThis study is to assess the effects of 12 weeks of bromelain (1050mg/day) supplementation on changes of body mass index compared to usual care.

Countries

China

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026