A nutraceutical combination improves insulin sensitivity in patients with metabolic syndrome

Table 1 Comparison of group characteristics at baseline

	AP	Placebo
Number (M/F)	29 (20/9)	30 (18/12)
Age	53 ± 7	50 ± 12
Weight (kg)	90 ± 13	96 ± 18
BMI	32.2 ± 4.6	34.7 ± 5.1
Waist circumference (cm)	110 ± 9	115 ± 13
Systolic blood pressure (mmHg)	125 ± 13	125 ± 14
Diastolic blood pressure (mmHg)	78 ± 8	81 ± 8
Fasting glucose (mmol/L)	5.72 ± 1.22	4.72 ± 0.67a
Fasting insulin (pmol/L)	90 ± 42	90 ± 69
HOMA-IR	3.2 ± 1. 5	2.7 ± 2.2
Triglycerides (mmol/L)	1.76 ± 0.86	1.92 ± 0. 83
Total cholesterol (mmol/L)	5.40 ± 1.00	5.09 ± 1.03
HDL cholesterol (mmol/L)	1.08 ± 0.26	1.18 ± 0.35
LDL cholesterol (mmol/L)	3.49 ± 0.19	3.05 ± 1. 00
Flow mediated dilation (%)	6.8 ± 3.1	6.8 ± 1.9
Concomitant medications (n)
ACE-I/ARB	26/29	24/30
Statins	8/29	8/30
Beta-blockers	10/29	10/30

AP: Neutraceutical consisting of berberine, policosanol and red yeast rice; ACE-I: Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor; ARB: Angiotensin receptor blocker; HOMA-IR: Homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance; BMI: Body mass index; HDL: High density lipoprotein; LDL: Low density lipoprotein.

^aP < 0.05.