ABSTRACT NUMBER: ESOC2026A653 EFFECTS OF A POLYPHENOL-RICH SALICORNIA EXTRACT ON LIPID PROFILES: A POOLED ANALYSIS IN STROKE PATIENTS

Abstract Background and aims Dyslipidemia is a key modifiable vascular risk factor closely linked to recurrent cerebrovascular events and cognitive decline. Polyphenol-rich Salicornia extracts have demostrated vascular and metabolic benefits in experimental settings; however, their effects on lipid profiles in humans remain insufficiently explored. Methods We conducted a pooled analysis of randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical studies evaluating effects of a 1-g daily dose of a polyphenol-rich Salicornia extract in healthy volunteers and in patients with transient ischemic attack or lacunar stroke. Changes in lipid parameters, including total cholesterol, LDL and HDL cholesterol were analysed over follow-up and compared between Salicornia and placebo groups. Results The pooled analysis included 241 participants. Patients with dyslipidemia exhibited lower baseline levels of total cholesterol, HDL, and LDL. At 12 months, participants receiving Salicornia supplementation showed a greater reduction in total cholesterol compared with placebo (coefficient of variation: −9.76%, p=0.041), along with a parallel decrease in HDL levels (coefficient of variation: −4.2%, p=0.001). In the subgroup of patients on statin therapy, Salicornia was associated with a more pronounced reduction in total cholesterol; however, this difference didn't reach significance. Conclusions In this pooled analysis, polyphenol-rich Salicornia extract was associated with favourable modulation of lipid profiles, particularly total cholesterol. The modest magnitude of the observed effects, especially among patients receiving concomitant statin therapy, may partly reflect a ceiling effect due to optimized baseline lipid-lowering treatment. Overall, these findings support the potential role of Salicornia supplementation as an adjunctive strategy for vascular risk factor management after cerebrovascular events and warrant confirmation in larger trials. Conflict of interest All authors: nothing to disclose except Joan Montaner: co-founder and minority shareholder of the startup Marisma Biomed.