Naringin supplementation lowers plasma lipids and enhances erythrocyte antioxidant enzyme activities in hypercholesterolemic subjects.
OBJECTIVE
Preliminary studies have shown that naringin has a potent lipid-lowering effect and antioxidant capacity in high-cholesterol diet fed animals. Accordingly, the present study was conducted to investigate the effect of naringin on hypercholesterolemic subjects.


METHODS
A hypercholesterolemic group (n=30) and healthy control group (n=30) were established based on the plasma cholesterol levels in the subjects, then all subjects received naringin (400mg/capsule/day) with regular meals for a period of 8 weeks.


RESULTS
In the hypercholesterolemic subjects, naringin supplementation was found to lower the plasma total cholesterol by 14% and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations by 17%, while the plasma triglyceride and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations remained unaffected. The apolipoprotein B levels in the hypercholesterolemic subjects were significantly lowered after naringin treatment, yet no change was observed in the apolipoprotein A-1 levels. The erythrocyte superoxide dismutase and catalase activities in the hypercholesterolemic group were significantly increased, whereas the glutathione peroxidase activity and plasma TBARS levels were not different from the baseline measurements. Meanwhile, naringin supplementation had no affect on plasma lipids, apolipoproteins, and TBARS levels or antioxidant enzyme activities in the control group.


CONCLUSIONS
Therefore, these data suggest that naringin may play an important role in lowering plasma cholesterol and regulating the antioxidant capacity in hypercholesterolemic subjects.
Jung
U J
UJ
Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, South Korea.
Kim
H J
HJ
Lee
J S
JS
Lee
M K
MK
Kim
H O
HO
Park
E J
EJ
Kim
H K
HK
Jeong
T S
TS
Choi
M S
MS
D000328:Adult; D001053:Apolipoproteins / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects; D002374:Catalase / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology*; D044950:Flavanones / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000201:enzymology; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010088:Oxidoreductases / Q000097:blood* / Q000187:drug effects; D012016:Reference Values; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects; D017392:Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances / Q000378:metabolism; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
D001053:Apolipoproteins; D044950:Flavanones; D008055:Lipids; D017392:Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances; D014280:Triglycerides; D002784:Cholesterol; D010088:Oxidoreductases; D002374:Catalase; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; C005274:naringin