Nitric oxide enhancement and blood pressure decrease in patients with metabolic syndrome using soy protein or fish oil.

OBJECTIVE

To verify the effects of fish oil and soy on nitric oxide (NO) and blood pressure in patients with metabolic syndrome (MS).

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Sixty women with MS were investigated in a parallel randomized design study. The first group maintained their usual diet; the second group received 25 g/day of soy; the third group received 3 g/day of n-3 fatty acids, and the fourth group the same amount previously cited of n-3 fatty acids and soy.

RESULTS

Serum nitric oxide metabolites showed significant increase after 90 days in the fish oil and soy groups. Systolic pressure reduced after 45 days of treatment with fish oil, whereas diastolic pressure decreased significantly throughout the study in the soy group.

CONCLUSIONS

NO increase and blood pressure reduction with fish oil or soy protein reinforce the importance of the influence of NO on blood pressure in patients with MS.