Positive results from study of pTeroPure (Glanbia) in patients with high cholesterol

New findings from a Phase II/III trial of pTeroPure (pterostilbene), from Glanbia, show this nutritional ingredient significantly reduced blood pressure in adults. The double-blind, placebo-controlled trial included 80 adults averaging 54 years of age with high cholesterol (total cholesterol of 200 or greater and/or LDL cholesterol of 100 or greater). Most participants were women (71%) and some had been diagnosed with high blood pressure (55%). By the end of the study, participants in the high-dose pterostilbene group (250 mg/day) achieved significant reductions in BP compared to placebo: 7.8 mmHg in systolic BP and 7.3 mmHg in diastolic BP, without serious adverse events. The only change in lipids was an increase in LDL cholesterol with pTeroPure (24.9 mg/dL) which was less among participants on cholesterol-lowering medication and was not seen among those who also received the grape extract. Participants not on cholesterol medication also achieved a minor average reduction in body weight (reduced body mass index 0.59 kg/m2) with pTeroPure. According to the study's principal investigator, Daniel M. Riche, PharmD, Cardiometabolic Clinic Coordinator at the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy, "the results of this study highlight that pterostilbene is a promising ingredient in the area of cardiometabolics." The findings were presented at the American Heart Association's High Blood Pressure Research 2012 Scientific Sessions.