Sesame oil consumption exerts a beneficial effect on endothelial function in hypertensive men

The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of sesame oil on endothelial function and to detect the underlying mechanisms, both in the postprandial state and after long-term consumption.

We enrolled 30 hypertensive men in a two-phase study. In the first phase, 26 volunteers consumed 35 g of either sesame oil or control oil. Endothelial function, inflammatory activation and nitric oxide syntase (NOS) inhibition was assessed after a 12-hour fast and 2 hours after consumption of an oil-containing standardized meal. In the second phase, 30 volunteers consumed 35 g of sesame oil or control oil daily for 2 months and the above-mentioned parameters were assessed at baseline, 15, 30 and 60 days.

Endothelial function was estimated by endothelium-dependent FMD (flow-mediated dilatation) of the brachial artery.

Flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) improved significantly both after acute (p = 0.001) and long-term sesame oil consumption (p = 0.015, p = 0.005 and p = 0.011 for 15, 30 and 60 days respectively). Intracellular adhesion molecule (ICAM) levels decreased significantly after only 60 days of daily sesame oil intake (p = 0.014). By contrast, no changes were observed in the control group in either phase of the study.

This is the first study to show that sesame oil consumption exerts a beneficial effect on endothelial function and this effect is sustained with long-term daily use.