Microcrystalline chitosan is ineffective to decrease plasma lipids in both apolipoprotein E epsilon 4 carriers and non-carriers: a long-term placebo-controlled trial in hypercholesterolaemic volunteers.
Chitosan is a deacetylated product of chitin. Microcrystalline form of chitosan has a large adsorption area claimed to decrease gastrointestinal absorption of cholesterol. However, the long-term effect of chitosan on plasma lipids is variable, the averaged influence being negligible or lacking in mildly-to-moderately hypercholesterolaemic (4.8-6.8 mmol/l) subjects. We evaluated whether this variation and inefficacy depend on apolipoprotein E genotype. 130 middle-aged, otherwise healthy men (n=55) and women (n=75) were randomized into two treatment groups for a 7 month trial. During a 1 month run-in period all participants received placebo. Subsequently, one half first took placebo twice daily for 3 months and then 1.2 g chitosan twice daily for 3 months, and the other half vice versa in a cross-over way. Altogether 84 participants completed the study. Plasma lipids and glucose were determined at the end of each phase of the study, and all subjects undergone to the cross-over phases were apolipoprotein E genotyped. Chitosan altered plasma total, low- and high density cholesterol, triglycerides, and blood glucose in neither apolipoprotein E epsilon 4 allele carriers (n=29) nor non-carriers (n=55), compared to placebo. In conclusions, chitosan is ineffective to decrease plasma lipids in apolipoprotein E epsilon 4 carrier and non-carrier phenotypes with mildly-to-moderately increased plasma cholesterol.
Department of Clinical Chemistry, Tampere University Hospital and University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland.
Terho
T
Lehtimäki
Saara
S
Metso
Ritva
R
Ylitalo
Riikka
R
Rontu
Matti
M
Nikkilä
Erkki
E
Wuolijoki
Pauli
P
Ylitalo
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D053327:Apolipoprotein E4; D001057:Apolipoproteins E / Q000235:genetics*; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D048271:Chitosan / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006579:Heterozygote; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D053327:Apolipoprotein E4; D001057:Apolipoproteins E; D001786:Blood Glucose; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents; D008055:Lipids; D048271:Chitosan; D002784:Cholesterol