Xuezhikang, an extract of cholestin, protects endothelial function through antiinflammatory and lipid-lowering mechanisms in patients with coronary heart disease.
BACKGROUND
Endothelial dysfunction is associated with inflammation and postprandial hypertriglyceridemia. Xuezhikang, an extract of Cholestin, a dietary supplement, has lipid-modulating and antiinflammatory effects. We explored the effects of xuezhikang on endothelial function and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD).


RESULTS
We prospectively randomized 50 CHD patients to xuezhikang 1200 mg/d or placebo for 6 weeks. Fasting hs-CRP concentrations, flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD) at 0 and 4 hours, and lipid parameters at 0, 2, 4, and 6 hours were monitored after a high-fat meal (800 calories; 50 g fat) in all patients. All patients underwent a high-fat meal test at the beginning of the study and after 6 weeks of treatment. Postprandial FMD was significantly worse at 4 hours after a high-fat meal (P<0.05), and this was associated with the area under the triglyceride curve (TG-AUC) (r=0.345, P<0.01). After 6 weeks of xuezhikang, fasting hs-CRP levels and TG-AUC (P<0.001 for each) decreased. Furthermore, preprandial and postprandial FMD significantly improved (P<0.001). There were no significant changes in serum lipids and FMD in the placebo arm. In multivariable regression analysis, changes in TG-AUC and fasting hs-CRP levels were predictive of improvement in preprandial FMD (P<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Xuezhikang effectively improved preprandial and postprandial endothelial function through its potent antiinflammatory and lipid-lowering effects.
Department of Cardiology, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410011, Hunan, PR China.
Shui Ping
SP
Zhao
Ling
L
Liu
Yan Chun
YC
Cheng
Mehdi H
MH
Shishehbor
Ming Hui
MH
Liu
Dao Quan
DQ
Peng
Yu Ling
YL
Li
D000787:Angina Pectoris / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001688:Biological Products / Q000737:chemistry*; D015415:Biomarkers; D001916:Brachial Artery / Q000187:drug effects; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D002317:Cardiovascular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005215:Fasting / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015228:Hypertriglyceridemia / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019518:Postprandial Period / Q000187:drug effects*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood*; D014664:Vasodilation / Q000187:drug effects*
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D001688:Biological Products; D015415:Biomarkers; D002317:Cardiovascular Agents; D004041:Dietary Fats; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents; D014280:Triglycerides; C117343:red yeast rice; C496822:xuezhikang; D002097:C-Reactive Protein