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The Health Effects of Blueberry Anthocyanins in Metabolic Syndrome (the CIRCLES-study)

The Effects of Blueberry Anthocyanins on Insulin Resistance and Vascular, Lung and Cognitive Function in a Population With Metabolic Syndrome.

Status
Completed
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT02035592
Acronym
CIRCLES
Enrollment
144
Registered
2014-01-14
Start date
2014-01-31
Completion date
2016-11-07
Last updated
2017-09-29

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

Conditions

Insulin Resistance, Metabolic Syndrome X

Brief summary

The purpose of this study is to determine the dose-dependent impact of 6 month freeze-dried blueberry powder intake on insulin sensitivity and resistance, cardiovascular disease risk factors, and lung and cognitive function in overweight and obese participants with metabolic syndrome. We will also examine acute post-prandial effects of blueberry intake (at baseline and at 6-months).

Interventions

OTHERFull dose blueberry

Full dose: 26g of freeze dried blueberry powder to be incorporated into the habitual diet. Dietary restrictions will be observed (i.e. avoidance of blueberry, and restricted intake of anthocyanin rich foods) for 21 days prior to the first assessment visit and throughout the study.

OTHERHalf dose blueberry

Half dose: 26g of freeze dried powder (containing 13g of freeze dried blueberry powder and 13g of placebo comparator material) to be incorporated into the habitual diet. Dietary restrictions will be observed (i.e. avoidance of blueberry, and restricted intake of anthocyanin rich foods) for 21 days prior to the first assessment visit and throughout the study.

OTHERControl

Control: 26g of placebo comparator material to be incorporated into the habitual diet. Dietary restrictions will be observed (i.e. avoidance of blueberry, and restricted intake of anthocyanin rich foods) for 21 days prior to the first assessment visit and throughout the study.

Sponsors

Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH)
CollaboratorOTHER
University of East Anglia
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

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

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
50 Years to 74 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Men and postmenopausal women (≥ 1 year since last menstruation) * 50 to 75 years old * BMI of ≥ 25 kg/m2 * 3 characteristics of metabolic syndrome i.e: Waist circumference ≥ 102 cm for men, ≥ 88 cm for women; Triglycerides ≥ 1.7 mmol/L (or drug treatment for elevated triglycerides); HDL-cholesterol \< 1.0 mmol/L for men, \< 1.3 mmol/L for women (or drug treatment for low HDL-cholesterol); Blood pressure ≥ 130 mm Hg systolic and/or ≥ 85 mm Hg diastolic blood pressure; Fasting blood glucose ≥ 5.56 mmol/L * Successful biochemical, haematological and urinalysis assessment at screening

Exclusion criteria

* Current smokers, or ex-smokers ceasing \< 6 months ago * Existing or significant past medical history of vascular disease or medical conditions likely to affect the study measures * Fructose intolerance or known allergies to the intervention treatments * On therapeutic diets or having experienced substantial weight loss within 3 months of screening * Taking flavonoid containing supplements (and unwilling to cease intake during, and 1 month preceding the trial) * Planning on altering consumption of vitamin supplements / fish oil capsules during the course of the study. * Prescribed hypoglycaemic, vasodilators or HRT medication. * Unsatisfactory biochemical, haematological or urinary assessment at screening, or measures considered to be counter indicative for the study * \< 3 characteristics of the metabolic syndrome. NB: REC approved NoSA granted to include those on anti-hypertensives (29JUL2014)

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Insulin resistanceChronic (0 to 6 month)Assessed, in the fasted state, via HOMA-IR calculation in all participants; indirect assessment.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Blood pressure and blood vessel regulationChronic (0 to 6 month)Measurements taken of arterial stiffness, endothelial function and blood pressure.
Lung functionChronic (0 to 6 month)Assessed via standard spirometry techniques and biological assessment of exhaled samples.
Cognitive functionChronic (0 to 6 month)Assessed via a validated cognitive test battery.
Insulin resistanceChronic (0 to 6 month)Assessed in a sub-group via hyperinsulinemic euglycaemic clamp.
Bio-availabilityChronic (0 to 6 month)Flavonoid and metabolite levels will be assessed in blood and 24 hour urine samples.
Metabolite phenotype effectsChronic (0 to 6 month)The gut microbiome will be assessed from faecal sample collection and the impact on metabolism and of genotype, will be assessed via a targeted approach.
Acute +24 hour effect of single (26g) intervention intake, given with high fat challengeChronic (0 to 6 month)Insulin resistance, lipaemia, vascular, cognitive and lung function measured pre- and post-intervention in combination with a high fat challenge in a sub-group of participants. Urine samples and blood samples (over a 24 hour period) will be taken for biomarker analysis.
Liver fat and blood flow assessmentChronic (0 to 6 month)Assessment via 3T MRI in a sub-group of participants.

Countries

United Kingdom, United States

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Mar 3, 2026