Sesame oil consumption exerts a beneficial effect on endothelial function in hypertensive men

• Published in: European journal of preventive cardiology 2013-04, Vol.20 (2), p.202-208
• Main Authors: Karatzi, Kalliopi, Stamatelopoulos, Kimon, Lykka, Maritta, Mantzouratou, Pigi, Skalidi, Sofia, Zakopoulos, Nikolaos, Papamichael, Christos, Sidossis, Labros S
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Analysis of Variance; Arginine - analogs & derivatives; Arginine - blood; Arterial hypertension. Arterial hypotension; Biological and medical sciences; Biomarkers - blood; Blood and lymphatic vessels; Blood Pressure; Brachial Artery - diagnostic imaging; Brachial Artery - metabolism; Brachial Artery - physiopathology; Cardiology. Vascular system; Diet; Endothelium, Vascular - metabolism; Endothelium, Vascular - physiopathology; Greece; Humans; Hypertension - blood; Hypertension - diagnosis; Hypertension - diet therapy; Hypertension - physiopathology; Inflammation Mediators - blood; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 - blood; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Postprandial Period; Sesame Oil - administration & dosage; Time Factors; Treatment Outcome; Ultrasonography; Vasodilation
• ISSN: 2047-4873; 2047-4881
• DOI: 10.1177/2047487312437625

Background: The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of sesame oil on endothelial function and to detect the underlying mechanisms, both in the postprandial state and after long-term consumption. Design: We enrolled 30 hypertensive men in a two-phase study. In the first phase, 26 volunteers consumed 35 g of either sesame oil or control oil. Endothelial function, inflammatory activation and nitric oxide syntase (NOS) inhibition was assessed after a 12-hour fast and 2 hours after consumption of an oil-containing standardized meal. In the second phase, 30 volunteers consumed 35 g of sesame oil or control oil daily for 2 months and the above-mentioned parameters were assessed at baseline, 15, 30 and 60 days. Methods: Endothelial function was estimated by endothelium-dependent FMD (flow-mediated dilatation) of the brachial artery. Results: Flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) improved significantly both after acute (p = 0.001) and long-term sesame oil consumption (p = 0.015, p = 0.005 and p = 0.011 for 15, 30 and 60 days respectively). Intracellular adhesion molecule (ICAM) levels decreased significantly after only 60 days of daily sesame oil intake (p = 0.014). By contrast, no changes were observed in the control group in either phase of the study. Conclusions: This is the first study to show that sesame oil consumption exerts a beneficial effect on endothelial function and this effect is sustained with long-term daily use.