A double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial compares the cholesterol-lowering effects of two different soy protein preparations in hypercholesterolemic subjects.
BACKGROUND
Soy protein is effective in lowering plasma cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations. It has not been conclusively answered, whether and to what extent other soy constituents may also contribute to this effect.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the change in blood lipid levels after application of two soy-based supplements containing soy protein either without (SuproSoy) or with (Abacor) soy fiber and phospholipids in a randomized placebo-controlled triplearmed study.


METHODS
121 hypercholesterolemic adults (66 females, 55 males) were recruited and randomly assigned to one of three treatments. Over 8 weeks they received daily either 25 g soy protein (as a component of the supplements Abacor or SuproSoy) or 25 g milk protein (as a component of placebo). Serum lipids were measured at baseline and after 4, 6 and 8 weeks.


RESULTS
After 8 weeks of supplementation total cholesterol levels were reduced by 8.0 +/- 9.6% (Abacor) and 3.4 +/- 8.3% (SuproSoy); LDL cholesterol levels by 9.7 +/- 11.7% (Abacor) and 5.4 +/- 11.6% (SuproSoy); and Apolipoprotein B levels by 6.9 +/- 14.6% (Abacor) and 4.0 +/- 12.4 % (SuproSoy). Serum levels of HDL cholesterol and triglycerides remained unchanged.


CONCLUSIONS
A preparation combining isolated soy protein with soy fibers and phospholipids showed twice the lipid-lowering effect of a preparation containing isolated soy protein alone. Therefore, such soy-based supplements can be useful in reducing the cardiovascular risk.
Nutri Pharma ASA, Kronprincesse Marthas Plass 1 Vika, 0116, Oslo, Norway.
Lars H
LH
Høie
Eve C A
EC
Morgenstern
Joerg
J
Gruenwald
Hans-Joachim
HJ
Graubaum
Regina
R
Busch
Wolfgang
W
Lüder
Hans-Joachim F
HJ
Zunft
D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood*; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D004043:Dietary Fiber / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004357:Drug Synergism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012307:Risk Factors; D030262:Soybean Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D004043:Dietary Fiber; D010743:Phospholipids; D030262:Soybean Proteins; D014280:Triglycerides; D002784:Cholesterol