It is now known that the increase in systemic inflammation and oxidative stress are the real protagonists of the atherosclerotic pathogenesis; what not everyone knows is that, in addition to increasing the risk of this disease, they are also involved in altering the innate immune system in subjects undergoing hemodialysis.
A 2012 study (randomized, placebo-controlled trial) entitled: " One year of pomegranate juice intake decreases oxidative stress, inflammation, and incidence of infections in hemodialysis patients: a randomized placebo-controlled trial ", noted the effects of intake of pomegranate juice for a whole year, assessing its metabolic implications (oxidative stress, inflammation and long-term clinical outcomes) on some hemodialysis patients.
The analyzed research sample is 101 patients, who were given 3 times a week for a year (for each dialysis episode) of pomegranate juice or placebo (double-blind).
The so-called "endpoints" (research analysis parameters) have been differentiated into: primary and secondary. The primary ones were the levels of oxidative stress and those of the inflammatory biomarkers; the secondary ones were the hospitalization for infection and the progression of atherosclerosis, evaluated on the condition of the carotids (thickness of the middle intimate layer and number / structure of the plaques).
The intake of pomegranate juice produced a significant reduction: leukocyte response times (polymorphonuclear), oxidized plasma proteins, oxidized plasma lipids and levels of inflammatory biomarkers.
As a further demonstration of its effectiveness, it was found that the positive effects of pomegranate juice intake were lost in the three months following the stop.
The food then reduced the incidence rate of the "second hospitalization" caused by infections.
Furthermore, 25% of patients in the group who took pomegranate juice showed an improvement, while only 5% showed progression of the atherosclerotic process; on the contrary, over 50% of subjects belonging to the placebo group showed a progression of atherosclerosis and none showed an improvement.
Finally, prolonged intake of pomegranate juice improves some cardiovascular risk factors (non-traditional ones), reduces the progress of the atherosclerotic process, strengthens innate immunity and reduces morbidity among hemodialysis patients.
