Aims. To examine the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of pomegranate polyphenols in obese patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) ( ) and in healthy nondiabetic controls ( ). Methods. Participants received 2 capsules of pomegranate polyphenols (POMx, 1 capsule = 753？mg polyphenols) daily for 4 weeks. Blood draws and anthropometrics were performed at baseline and at 4 weeks of the study. Results. Pomegranate polyphenols in healthy controls and in T2DM patients did not significantly affect body weight and blood pressure, glucose and lipids. Among clinical safety profiles, serum electrolytes, renal function tests, and hematological profiles were not significantly affected by POMx supplementation. However, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) showed a significant increase in healthy controls, while alanine aminotransferase (ALT) was significantly decreased in T2DM patients at 4 weeks ( ), though values remained within the normal ranges. Among the biomarkers of lipid oxidation and inflammation, oxidized LDL and serum C-reactive protein (CRP) did not differ at 4 weeks in either group, while pomegranate polyphenols significantly decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydroxynonenal (HNE) only in the diabetic group versus baseline ( ). Conclusions. POMx reduces lipid peroxidation in patients with T2DM, but with no effects in healthy controls, and specifically modulates liver enzymes in diabetic and nondiabetic subjects. Larger clinical trials are merited. 1. Introduction Among the fruits with demonstrated cardiovascular benefits, the pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) has gained significant attention in complementary and alternative health practices. Pomegranate juice has been rated to possess the highest antioxidant capacity when compared to the commonly consumed polyphenol-rich beverages in the United States [1]. Several categories of phytochemicals are present in the pomegranate including flavonoids (flavonols, flavanols, and anthocyanins), condensed tannins (proanthocyanidins), and hydrolysable tannins (ellagitannins and gallotannins). Additional phytochemicals present in pomegranates include organic and phenolic acids, sterols and triterpenoids, and alkaloids. The seeds of the pomegranate are rich in crude fibers, pectin, and sugars [2, 3]. Thus, pomegranate polyphenols in cell culture, animal model systems, and limited clinical research have been reported to exert several vascular benefits, including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects [2, 3]. Pomegranate juice supplementation has been shown to ameliorate hypertension and reduce surrogate risk factors
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