title: Endothelial function in hypercholesterolemic subjects: Effects of plant stanol and sterol esters.
abstract: We investigated the effects of stanol (STAEST) and sterol esters (STEEST) on endothelial function in hypercholesterolemic subjects. In addition, associations of variables of cholesterol metabolism with endothelial function were investigated. In a double-blind randomized cross-over study (n=39) with age-matched parallel control group (n=37) the subjects consumed STAEST or STEEST spread (total plant sterols and stanols 1.93-1.98g/day) for 10 weeks each. Controls consumed the spread without sterols or stanols for 20 weeks. At baseline, brachial artery diameter was positively correlated with serum triglycerides (r=0.375, p=0.001) and glucose (r=0.420, p<0.001) and with cholesterol synthesis marker ratios to cholesterol (e.g. desmosterol r=0.540, p<0.001) and negatively with HDL cholesterol (r=-0.309, p=0.008) and absorption marker ratios (e.g. campesterol r=-0.332, p=0.004). During the intervention, LDL cholesterol was reduced by 6-9% from baseline with STAEST and STEEST spreads (p<0.05), and by 9-12%, respectively, from controls (p<0.05). Flow-mediated dilatation did not change during the investigation. Brachial artery diameter was unchanged in controls and during STAEST periods, but it was reduced during STEEST by 2.2% (p=0.012) from STAEST. In conclusion, variables of cholesterol metabolism are associated with brachial artery diameter at baseline. STEEST diminishes brachial artery diameter, but its clinical relevance remains unclear.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Nutrition, University of Kuopio, P.O. Box 1627, 70211 Kuopio, Finland. maarit.hallikainen@uku.fi
authors.forename: Maarit
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hallikainen
authors.forename: Tiina
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lyyra-Laitinen
authors.forename: Tomi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Laitinen
authors.forename: Jyrki J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Agren
authors.forename: Jussi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pihlajamäki
authors.forename: Rainer
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rauramaa
authors.forename: Tatu A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Miettinen
authors.forename: Helena
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Gylling
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001774:Blood Chemical Analysis; D001794:Blood Pressure; D001916:Brachial Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012855:Sitosterols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014463:Ultrasonography
chemical_list: D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D004041:Dietary Fats; D012855:Sitosterols; C407042:plant stanol ester