The results indicate that pycnogenol supplementation improves levels of HDL-C ; however , the changes in TC , TAG , and LDL-C were not clinical ly relevant .
Since there are few phytochemicals that have a significant increasing effect on HDL-C levels  , pycnogenol may have important role in prevention of cardiovascular diseases
The effects of pycnogenol on plasma lipids are controversial .
A systematic review and meta- analysis of clinical trials were conducted to obtain a conclusive result in humans .
Effects of low molecular weight procyanidin rich extract from french maritime pine bark on cardiovascular disease risk factors in stage-1 hypertensive subjects: Randomized, double-blind, crossover, placebo-controlled intervention trial.
BACKGROUND Oligopinۚ ( OP ) is a quantified extract from French Maritime Pine bark ( FMPB ) with low molecular weight procyanidins . The cardioprotective effects of OP need to be tested in human clinical intervention trials with an appropriate design . PURPOSE The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of subchronic consumption of OP on cardiovascular disease risk factors such as lipid profile , systolic blood pressure ( BP ) and oxidized-Low Density Lipoprotein ( ox-LDL ) in stage-1-hypertensive subjects . METHODS Between February 14 and May 31 , 2014 , eligible subjects were recruited from the outpatient clinics of Hospital Universitari Sant Joan ( Reus , Spain ) . A total of 24 participants ( mean age ± DS ; 57.36 ± 11.25 ; 17 men ) with stage-1-hypertension who were not receiving BP-lowering medication and LDL cholesterol < 4.88 mmol/l were r and omized in a double-blind , placebo-controlled , crossover study . The subjects received 2 capsules/day with 75 mg of OP or placebo for 5-weeks . RESULTS At 5-weeks , compared to the placebo , OP  raised High Density Lipoprotein-cholesterol ( HDL-c ) by 14.06 % ( p = 0.012 ) and apolipoprotein A-1 by 8.12 % ( p = 0.038 ) and reduced the ratio of apolipoprotein B-100/A-1 by 10.26 % ( p = 0.046 ) . Moreover , at 5-weeks , compared to the baseline , OP  reduced the systolic BP by 6.36 mmHg ( p = 0.014 ) , and decreased ox-LDL concentrations by 31.72 U/l ( p = 0.015 ) . CONCLUSION At 5-weeks , the consumption of 150 mg/day of OP  improve lipid cardiovascular profile and represents one of the scarce ways to increase HDL-c in stage-1-hypertensive subjects . TRIAL REGISTRATION Clinical Trials.gov : NCT02063477
The results indicate that pycnogenol supplementation improves levels of HDL-C ; however , the changes in TC , TAG , and LDL-C were not clinical ly relevant .
Since there are few phytochemicals that have a significant increasing effect on HDL-C levels  , pycnogenol may have important role in prevention of cardiovascular diseases
The effects of pycnogenol on plasma lipids are controversial .
A systematic review and meta- analysis of clinical trials were conducted to obtain a conclusive result in humans .