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

Eur J Prev Cardiol. 2013 Apr;20(2):202-8. doi: 10.1177/2047487312437625. Epub 2012 Jan 25.

Abstract

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.

Publication types

  • Controlled Clinical Trial
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Arginine / analogs & derivatives
  • Arginine / blood
  • Biomarkers / blood
  • Blood Pressure*
  • Brachial Artery / diagnostic imaging
  • Brachial Artery / metabolism
  • Brachial Artery / physiopathology*
  • 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
  • Middle Aged
  • Postprandial Period
  • Sesame Oil / administration & dosage*
  • Time Factors
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Ultrasonography
  • Vasodilation*

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • ICAM1 protein, human
  • Inflammation Mediators
  • Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1
  • N,N-dimethylarginine
  • Sesame Oil
  • Arginine