Cardiovascular Studies

Metabolic syndrome (MS) represents a clustering of risk factors related to an elevated incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and type 2 diabetes. Despite the possibility of multiple pharmacological interventions to treat metabolic changes related to MS, these therapeutic strategies often exhibit several side effects and inadequately prevents CVD. Among nutraceutical compounds presenting potential efficacy in this regard, bergamot polyphenols, via their multi-action properties, have been shown to positively modulate several mechanisms involved in MS suggesting their benefits as therapy. The purpose of this review is to discuss the beneficial effects of bergamot polyphenols providing a new therapeutic approach in the treatment of MS.

Hypercholesterolemia (increased cholesterol levels), hyperlipidemia (increased triglycerides (TG) and cholesterol) and hyperglycemia (blood glucose over 100 mg/dL) are important risk factors for the development of atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease.1,2 Increased concentrations of total blood cholesterol (tChol, $ 200 mg/dL) as well as a high ratio of cholesterol bound to low-density lipoprotein (cLDL) with respect to the cholesterol bound to high-density lipoprotein (cHDL) are considered to be the main pathogenic blood parameters. However, conditions of insulin resistance such as impaired glucose tolerance or prediabetes are also characterized by a high risk of atherosclerotic vascular diseases (AVD).