Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharide peptide (GLPP) shows no significant effect on inflammatory or metabolic biomarkers in obese CMS patients

Cardiometabolic syndrome (CMS) is a significant driver of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular events, largely due to persistent subclinical inflammation. While current pharmacotherapies effectively manage many metabolic risk factors, they often fall short in adequately controlling this residual inflammatory risk. Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharide peptide (GLPP) has shown promise in preclinical studies, exhibiting anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. However, robust clinical evidence specifically evaluating GLPP's efficacy in human CMS patients, particularly concerning its impact on inflammatory and metabolic biomarkers, has been limited, creating a critical gap this study aimed to address.

A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial was conducted with 60 eligible CMS patients. Participants were randomly assigned to either the GLPP group (n = 30) receiving 250 mg three times daily or a placebo group (n = 30) for an 8-week intervention period. Primary outcomes focused on changes in inflammatory biomarkers, specifically TNF-α, IL-6, and hsCRP. Secondary outcomes included nitric oxide (NO), comprehensive lipid profiles (total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, LDL), and BMI. Biomarkers were meticulously assessed both pre- and post-intervention using ELISA and automated analyzers to quantify changes.

All 60 randomized patients, 30 in the GLPP group and 30 in the placebo group, successfully completed the 8-week intervention. The study found no statistically significant differences between the GLPP and placebo groups across any of the measured inflammatory or metabolic markers. Specifically, inflammatory markers such as IL-6 (p = 0.366), TNF-α (p = 0.274), and hsCRP (p = 0.918) showed no significant changes. Similarly, nitric oxide levels (p = 0.949) remained unaffected. Lipid profiles, including total cholesterol (p = 0.966), triglycerides (p = 0.791), HDL (p = 0.242), and LDL (p = 0.437), also demonstrated no significant alterations. Furthermore, no significant change was observed in BMI (p = 0.423).