title: Cholesterol-lowering effect of skim milk from immunized cows in hypercholesterolemic patients.
abstract: The effect of skim milk from cows immunized against a variety of human intestinal bacteria on serum cholesterol concentrations was examined in 11 patients with primary hypercholesterolemia in a 24-wk, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study. After a 4-wk baseline period, patients were treated for 8 wk either with skim milk from immunized cows (active) or with control skim milk (placebo) followed by an 8-wk period with the treatment order reversed. Eight weeks of active treatment with skim milk from immunized cows reduced serum total cholesterol concentrations by 0.52 +/- 0.59 mmol/L (mean +/- SD; P less than 0.025), or 8%, LDL cholesterol by 0.16 +/- 0.59 mmol/L (NS), or 4%, and the atherogenic index (total cholesterol/HDL cholesterol) by 0.42 +/- 1.85 (P less than 0.05), or 8%, compared with the placebo treatment. Reversal of the favorable development occurred upon cessation of active treatment. We conclude that daily supplementation of a normal diet with skim milk from immunized cows can result in a significant reduction of elevated blood cholesterol concentrations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital, Switzerland.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Golay
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Ferrara
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Felber
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Schneider
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000818:Animals; D001428:Bacterial Vaccines / Q000276:immunology*; D002417:Cattle; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000178:diet therapy*; D007114:Immunization / Q000662:veterinary*; D007422:Intestines / Q000382:microbiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008892:Milk; D010349:Patient Compliance; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D001428:Bacterial Vaccines; D014280:Triglycerides; D002784:Cholesterol