Men and women differ in lipoprotein response to dietary saturated fat and cholesterol restriction.
A diet restricted in saturated fat and cholesterol is recommended for subjects with elevated LDL cholesterol concentrations before and during drug therapy. Gender differences in lipoprotein subspecies response to such diets have not been studied in detail. We examined the effects of a diet low in total fat, saturated fat and cholesterol (Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes, TLC, diet: 26% of energy as fat, 4% as saturated fat, and 45 mg cholesterol/4.2 MJ), compared with an average American diet (AAD: 35% of energy as fat, 14% as saturated fat, and 147 mg cholesterol/4.2 MJ), on plasma lipoprotein subspecies in men and women. Each diet period lasted 6 wk. Body weight was kept constant during each diet period. Men (n = 19) and postmenopausal women (n = 14) >40 y old with moderate hypercholesterolemia participated in this study. Plasma lipoprotein concentrations were assessed by standardized methodology, and lipoprotein sizes were determined by gradient gel electrophoresis and NMR spectroscopy. The TLC diet resulted in greater reductions in total cholesterol and plasma apolipoprotein B concentrations in men than in women (-19% vs. -12%, P < 0.05, and -18% vs. -9%, P < 0.05, respectively). Postprandial triacylglycerol and LpAI:AII concentrations were reduced in men, but not in women (-15% vs. 8%, P < 0.05, and -9% vs. -2%, respectively, P < 0.05). Similar decreases in LpAI concentrations and LDL and HDL particle size were observed in men and women. These data are consistent with the concept that middle aged/elderly men may have a more favorable lipoprotein response to a low fat, low cholesterol diet than postmenopausal women.
Li
Zhengling
Z
Lipid Metabolism Laboratory, Jean Mayer U.S. Department of Agriculture Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University, Boston, MA, USA.
Otvos
James D
JD
Lamon-Fava
Stefania
S
Carrasco
Wanda V
WV
Lichtenstein
Alice H
AH
McNamara
Judith R
JR
Ordovas
Jose M
JM
Schaefer
Ernst J
EJ
D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000097:blood; D008074:Lipoproteins / Q000097:blood*; D008075:Lipoproteins, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012727:Sex Characteristics
D004041:Dietary Fats; D008074:Lipoproteins; D008075:Lipoproteins, HDL; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL