Comparison of the effects of plant sterol ester and plant stanol ester-enriched margarines in lowering serum cholesterol concentrations in hypercholesterolaemic subjects on a low-fat diet.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate cholesterol-lowering effects of stanol ester (STAEST) and sterol ester (STEEST)-enriched margarines as part of a low-fat diet.


METHODS
According to a Latin square model randomized double-blind repeated measures design with three test margarines and three periods.


METHODS
Outpatient clinical trial with free-living subjects.


METHODS
Thirty-four hypercholesterolaemic subjects completed the study.


METHODS
Subjects consumed three rapeseed oil-based test margarines (STAEST, STEEST and control (no added stanols or sterols)) as part of a low-fat diet each for 4 weeks.


RESULTS
Mean daily intake of total plant sterols plus stanols was 2.01-2.04 g during the two test margarine periods. In reference to control, serum total cholesterol was reduced by 9.2 and 7.3% with the STAEST and STEEST margarine, respectively (P<0.001 for both). The respective reductions for low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol were 12.7 and 10.4% (P<0. 001). The cholesterol-lowering effects of the test margarines did not differ significantly. The presence of apolipoprotein E4 allele had a significant effect on LDL cholesterol response during the STAEST margarine only. Serum sitosterol and campesterol increased by 0.83 and 2.77 mg/l with the STEEST (P<0.001), respectively and decreased by 1.18 and 2.60 mg/l with the STAEST margarine (P<0.001). Increases of serum sitostanol and campestanol were 0.11 and 0.19 mg/l with the STAEST margarine (P<0.001), repsectively. No significant changes were found in serum fat-soluble vitamin and carotenoid concentrations when related to serum total cholesterol.


CONCLUSIONS
STAEST and STEEST margarines reduced significantly and equally serum total and LDL cholesterol concentrations as part of a low-fat diet.


BACKGROUND
Grant to the University of Kuopio by Raisio Benecol Ltd, Raisio, Finland.
Hallikainen
M A
MA
Department of Clinical Nutrition, University of Kuopio, Kuopio, Finland. Maarit.Hallikainen@uku.fi
Sarkkinen
E S
ES
Gylling
H
H
Erkkilä
A T
AT
Uusitupa
M I
MI
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000097:blood; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000097:blood*; D018752:Diet, Fat-Restricted; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004952:Esters; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control; D008297:Male; D008383:Margarine; D008875:Middle Aged; D010840:Phytosterols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000008:administration & dosage; D012855:Sitosterols / Q000097:blood; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000097:blood
D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D000975:Antioxidants; D004952:Esters; D010840:Phytosterols; D010938:Plant Oils; D012855:Sitosterols; D014810:Vitamin E; D002338:Carotenoids; C003535:campestanol; C021273:campesterol; D008383:Margarine; D002784:Cholesterol; C021255:stigmastanol