Similar cholesterol-lowering properties of rice bran oil, with varied gamma-oryzanol, in mildly hypercholesterolemic men.
BACKGROUND
The cholesterol lowering properties of rice bran oil (RBO) containing differing amounts of non-saponifiable components have not been studied in humans, to our knowledge.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate cholesterol lowering effects of RBO, with low and high amounts of gamma-oryzanol (ferulated plant sterols) in mildly hypercholesterolemic men.


METHODS
Mildly hypercholesterolemic men, 38-64 y, starting cholesterol 4.9-8.4 mmol/l (n = 30), consumed 50 g/d peanut oil (PNO) in vehicles for 2 wks during a run-in period, then, without wash-out, were randomly equilibrated (based on initial level of cholesterol) into two groups to consume 50 g/d RBO low (0.05 g/d) or high (0.8 g/d) gamma-oryzanol for 4 wks, in a randomized, controlled, parallel design study. Subjects were free-living and consumed habitual diets with some restrictions. Plasma concentrations of total, LDL-,HDL-cholesterol and triacylglycerol were measured at base line and after 2, 4, and 6 wks.


RESULTS
The two RBO types were not significantly different with respect to effects on various cholesterol parameters, at 2 and 4 wks, including total cholesterol, LDL-, HDL- and LDL/HDL cholesterol ratio. Low and high gamma-oryzanolcontaining RBO feeding for 4 wks lowered total plasma cholesterol (6.3 %), LDL-C (10.5 %) and the LDL-C/HDL-C ratio (18.9 %).


CONCLUSIONS
RBO supplementation at ca. 50% total fat intake improved lipoprotein pattern in mildly hypercholesterolemic men. Methylated sterols in gamma-oryzanol are thought to be largely ineffective at inhibiting dietary cholesterol absorption, but could enhance cholesterol-lowering ability of 4-desmethylsterols. Assuming all ferulated sterols become de-ferulated in the gut, low and high gamma-oryzanolcontaining RBOs provided intestinal loads of 453 and 740 mg/d free 4-desmethylsterols, respectively. This intestinal load of 453-740 mg/d of efficacious free plant sterol equivalents had identical effects on lipoproteins.
Nestlé Research Centre, Lausanne, Switzerland.
Alvin
A
Berger
Dietrich
D
Rein
Angela
A
Schäfer
Irina
I
Monnard
Gérard
G
Gremaud
Pierre
P
Lambelet
Constantin
C
Bertoli
D000328:Adult; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010666:Phenylpropionates / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000737:chemistry*; D000073879:Rice Bran Oil; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D010666:Phenylpropionates; D010938:Plant Oils; D014280:Triglycerides; D002784:Cholesterol; D000073879:Rice Bran Oil; C013172:gamma-oryzanol