Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading global cause of death. Strategies to reduce CVD risk are urgently needed. Polyphenols represent a class of bioactive compounds with potential to moderate biochemical risk factors for CVD (cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose, and inflammation). This double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized parallel-groups trial investigated the effect of a polyphenol-rich seaweed (Fucus vesiculosus) extract on biochemical markers of CVD risk. Thirty-four overweight and obese adults (21 female, 13 male) with elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (>2.0 mmol/L) were randomized to either the seaweed extract (2000 mg/d) or placebo for twelve weeks. Fasting blood samples were collected at baseline, week six and week twelve to assess biochemical markers. Tests of cognitive performance and mood were performed at baseline, week six and week twelve. A 9.5% (-2.3, 12.9) increase in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol was identified following the seaweed extract (baseline: mean (SD) 1.28 (0.23) mmol/L, week 12: 1.35 (0.24) mmol/L) which was different to placebo (baseline: 1.38 (0.54) mmol/L, week 12: 1.35 (0.59) mmol/L) (P=.045). No changes were identified in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, total cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose, insulin, interleukin (IL)-2, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, or tumour necrosis factor-alpha levels in the blood, or in cognitive performance or mood between the treatment and placebo groups. Despite the small increase observed in HDL cholesterol, the polyphenol-rich seaweed extract did not change CVD risk factors in adults with high fasting lipids. A larger sample size would be required to confirm the clinical relevance of the changes in HDL cholesterol.

心血管疾病 (CVD) 是全球主要的死亡原因。迫切需要降低 CVD 风险的策略。多酚是一类具有调节 CVD 生化危险因素（胆固醇、甘油三酯、葡萄糖和炎症）潜力的生物活性化合物。这项双盲、安慰剂对照、随机平行组试验研究了富含多酚的海藻（Fucus vesiculosus) CVD 风险的生化标志物提取物。34 名低密度脂蛋白胆固醇升高 (>2.0 mmol/L) 的超重和肥胖成人（21 名女性，13 名男性）随机接受海藻提取物（2000 毫克/天）或安慰剂治疗 12 周。在基线、第 6 周和第 12 周收集空腹血样以评估生化标志物。在基线、第六周和第十二周进行认知表现和情绪测试。海藻提取物后高密度脂蛋白 (HDL) 胆固醇增加 9.5% (-2.3, 12.9)（基线：平均 (SD) 1.28 (0.23) mmol/L，第 12 周：1.35 (0.24) mmol/L ) 与安慰剂不同（基线：1.38 (0.54) mmol/L，第 12 周：1.35 (0.59) mmol/L）（P=.045）。血液中的低密度脂蛋白胆固醇、总胆固醇、甘油三酯、葡萄糖、胰岛素、白细胞介素 (IL)-2、IL-6、IL-8、IL-10 或肿瘤坏死因子-α 水平没有变化，或治疗组和安慰剂组之间的认知表现或情绪。尽管观察到 HDL 胆固醇略有增加，但富含多酚的海藻提取物并未改变空腹血脂高的成人的 CVD 危险因素。需要更大的样本量来确认 HDL 胆固醇变化的临床相关性。