Effects of a plant sterol-enriched spread on serum lipids and lipoproteins in mildly hypercholesterolaemic subjects.
OBJECTIVE
In this randomized double-blind placebo-controlled cross-over study the effects of spreads enriched with plant sterols were determined on serum lipids, lipoprotein and apolipoprotein concentrations in a Belgian population.


METHODS
Fourty-two healthy adult volunteers (22 men and 20 women) with an average age of 55 (SD 9) years and with serum total cholesterol concentrations below 300 mg/dl, consumed during two consecutive periods of 4 weeks two different low-fat spreads. Both the plant sterol rich and control spreads contained 35% of fat and had an almost equal fat composition. The sterol content of the enriched spread was 8.3%. Intake of the spreads was 25 g/day.


RESULTS
Serum total and LDL-cholesterol concentrations lowered by 7% (18 mg/dl) and 10% (16 mg/dl), respectively, with the plant sterol-enriched compared to the control spread. Serum HDL-cholesterol concentration did not significantly differ between the two spreads. Apolipoprotein B concentrations lowered by 8% (0.08 g/l) with the plant sterol-enriched spread, while concentrations of apolipoprotein A-I did not change.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings indicate that a daily intake of 25 gram low-fat spread containing 2 gram plant sterol per day is effective in lowering blood total and LDL cholesterol, and apolipoprotein B concentrations. This lowering may help to reduce the risk of heart disease in the population.
Temme
Elisabeth H M
EH
K.U. Leuven, Department of Public Health, Leuven, Belgium. Liesbeth.Temme@med.kuleuven.ac.be
Van Hoydonck
Pascale G A
PG
Schouten
Evert G
EG
Kesteloot
Hugo
H
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016632:Apolipoprotein A-I / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects; D001055:Apolipoproteins B / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects; D001530:Belgium; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008074:Lipoproteins / Q000097:blood* / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010840:Phytosterols / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012016:Reference Values; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
D016632:Apolipoprotein A-I; D001055:Apolipoproteins B; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents; D008074:Lipoproteins; D010840:Phytosterols; D014280:Triglycerides