Supplementation of wheat fibre can improve risk profile in patients with dysmetabolic cardiovascular syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
We explored the effects of regular consumption of wheat fibre in patients with dysmetabolic cardiovascular syndrome (MCVS).


METHODS
Forty-two patients with MCVS (mean age 49+/-8 years) were randomly assigned to a treated group (n=21) or to a control group (n=21). Patients in the treated group ate 10.5 g of wheat fibre powder per day for the first week, followed by 21 g per day for the next 4 weeks. A standard high-fibre diet was recommended to both groups. Blood pressure, metabolic parameters, fibrinolytic parameters and factor VII activity were measured at entry and after 5 and 9 weeks.


RESULTS
After completing treatment, patients from both groups lost an average of 1 kg weight. Consumption of wheat fibre resulted in a significant (P<0.05) decrease of systolic and diastolic blood pressure, fasting glucose, glucose 2 h after oral glucose challenge (OGC), total cholesterol, low-density and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, ranging from 7% to 18%. Furthermore, no significant reductions in fasting insulin, insulin 1 and 2 h after OGC, and glucose 1 h after OGC were found, whereas no differences in fibrinolytic parameters and factor VII activity were observed. Almost all beneficial effects of wheat fibre diminished 4 weeks after its withdrawal. In the non-treated group only a significant decrease of systolic pressure was observed.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest that supplementation of wheat fibre, not just a standard high-fibre diet, may improve cardiovascular risk profile in patients with MCVS, in a manner independent of weight reduction.
Sabovic
Miso
M
Department for Vascular Diseases, Internal Clinic, University Clinical Centre, Ljubljana, Slovenia. miso.sabovicx@trnovo.kclj.si
Lavre
Simona
S
Keber
Irena
I
D000328:Adult; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D001794:Blood Pressure; D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D004043:Dietary Fiber / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000178:diet therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011134:Polysaccharides / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood; D015431:Weight Loss
D001786:Blood Glucose; D001798:Blood Proteins; D004043:Dietary Fiber; D011134:Polysaccharides; C076644:Trifyba; D014280:Triglycerides; D002784:Cholesterol