Effect of dietary supplementation with glucomannan on plasma total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein cholesterol in hypercholesterolemic children.
OBJECTIVE
This paper evaluates the effect of the adjunct of the hydrosoluble fiber glucomannan to a Step-One-Diet in 40 plasma hypercholesterolemic children, during a randomized controlled trial, to reduce plasma cholesterol.


METHODS
All the subjects recruited underwent an 8-week run in diet period; a Step-One-Diet was prescribed. After that, they were randomly allocated to one of two groups: Step-One-Diet only (control), and Step-One-Diet plus glucomannan in gelatine capsules. After another 8 weeks of treatment, the results were compared within and between the two groups.


RESULTS
Glucomannan treated group showed decreased values in plasma total cholesterol (TC) and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) vs. control group after 8 weeks of treatment. The percentage decrease showed a statistically significant difference between sex groups. Decreases were observed in favor of female vs. male children in TC (24% vs. 9%) and LDL-C (30% vs. 9%).


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that glucomannan may represent a rationale adjunct to diet therapy in primary prevention in high risk hypercholesterolemic children.
Martino
Francesco
F
Lipid Clinic Research, Istituto di Clinica Pediatrica, Università di Roma La Sapienza, Viale Regina Elena 324, I-00161 Roma, Italy. francesco.martino30@tin.it
Martino
Eliana
E
Morrone
Francesco
F
Carnevali
Elisabetta
E
Forcone
Roberta
R
Niglio
Tarcisio
T
D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002648:Child; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood*; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D018752:Diet, Fat-Restricted; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000097:blood / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008351:Mannans / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012737:Sex Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D008351:Mannans; D014280:Triglycerides; C022901:(1-6)-alpha-glucomannan; D002784:Cholesterol