Oat beta-glucan reduces blood cholesterol concentration in hypercholesterolemic subjects.
OBJECTIVE
Several studies have indicated that consumption of oat bran lowers blood cholesterol and this effect has been attributed specifically to oat bran's soluble fiber (beta-glucan). This study was designed to test this hypothesis.


METHODS
The purified fibre (oat gum, 80% beta-glucan) was isolated, and agglomerated in the presence of maltodextrin to facilitate dispersion in a drink. Subjects consumed the oat gum (2.9 g beta-glucan), or maltodextrin placebo, twice daily for 4 weeks, in a randomized, cross-over design with a 3 week wash-out between phases. Consumption was equivalent to a daily dose of about 70 g of oat bran.


METHODS
The study was with free-living individuals.


METHODS
Twenty hypercholesterolemic male and female adults entered, and 19 completed, the study.


METHODS
Blood lipids from fasting individuals were measured weekly throughout the study. Diet was monitored using 3 day food diaries.


RESULTS
There were no significant changes (P > 0.05) in blood lipids during the placebo phase. Mean initial total cholesterol (6.76 +/- 0.13 mmol/l) and low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (4.59 +/- 0.14 mmol/l) levels fell throughout the oat gum phase, and at week 4 each was reduced 9% relative to initial values (P = 0.0004 and 0.005 respectively). When oat gum was discontinued, total and LDL cholesterol returned to initial levels. There were no significant changes in high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. Triglyceride levels also remained unchanged except for a singular decrease at week 4 of the oat gum phase relative to the initial value, but not compared to the placebo value. The lowered mean total and LDL cholesterol levels occurred in the absence of any dietary changes.


CONCLUSIONS
The main component of the soluble fibre of oats, beta-glucan, significantly reduced the total and LDL cholesterol levels of hypercholesterolemic adults without changing HDL cholesterol.
Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Ottawa Civic Hospital, University of Ottawa, Canada.
J T
JT
Braaten
P J
PJ
Wood
F W
FW
Scott
M S
MS
Wolynetz
M K
MK
Lowe
P
P
Bradley-White
M W
MW
Collins
D000328:Adult; D018554:Avena; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004043:Dietary Fiber / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005215:Fasting; D005260:Female; D005936:Glucans / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000097:blood / Q000178:diet therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010919:Placebos; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
D004043:Dietary Fiber; D005936:Glucans; D010919:Placebos; D014280:Triglycerides; D002784:Cholesterol