Solubilization of phytosterols in diacylglycerol versus triacylglycerol improves the serum cholesterol-lowering effect.
OBJECTIVE
This study was performed to investigate the difference in the serum-cholesterol- and triglyceride-lowering activities between phytosterols dissolved in diacylglycerol (PS/DG) and dispersed in triacylglycerol (PS/TG). The effects of the solvent on the concentrations of serum beta-sitosterol and campesterol were examined.


METHODS
The study had a randomised crossover design.


METHODS
Twelve healthy normocholesterolemic or moderately hypercholesterolemic men aged 29-50 y participated in this study.


METHODS
For 2 weeks before the test period (designated as the control period), all subjects consumed control mayonnaise (PS free) daily with supper and were randomly assigned to two groups for the 2 week test period; one group was given mayonnaise containing PS (500 mg/day) dissolved in DG (10 g/day), and the other mayonnaise containing PS (500 mg/day) dispersed in TG (10 g/day). After a wash out period consuming control PS-free mayonnaise for 4 weeks, the groups were reversed for 2 weeks.


RESULTS
PS/TG feeding had no effect on the serum cholesterol level. In contrast, PS/DG feeding significantly reduced the total and LDL cholesterol levels from the initial value of 5.57 to 5.31 mmol/l (4.7%; P<0.05) and from 3.69 to 3.39 mmol/l (7.6%; P<0.05), respectively. Moreover, the degree of total cholesterol reduction induced by PS/DG feeding in the test period was significantly greater than that induced by PS/TG feeding (P<0.05). In addition, the serum beta-sitosterol and campesterol concentrations did not change during the PS/TG or PS/DG feeding periods.


CONCLUSIONS
Dissolution of PS in DG had a better serum cholesterol lowering effect than dissolution in TG.


BACKGROUND
Kao Corporation.
Meguro
S
S
Biological Science Laboratory, Kao Corporation, Tochigi, Japan.
Higashi
K
K
Hase
T
T
Honda
Y
Y
Otsuka
A
A
Tokimitsu
I
I
Itakura
H
H
D000328:Adult; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000097:blood*; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004075:Diglycerides / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010840:Phytosterols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012855:Sitosterols / Q000097:blood; D012995:Solubility; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D004075:Diglycerides; D010840:Phytosterols; D012855:Sitosterols; D014280:Triglycerides; C021273:campesterol; C025473:gamma-sitosterol; D002784:Cholesterol