Effect of plant sterols and glucomannan on lipids in individuals with and without type II diabetes.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to determine whether supplements of plant sterols and/or glucomannan improve lipid profile and cholesterol biosynthesis in mildly hypercholesterolemic type II diabetic and non-diabetic subjects and to compare the response of these two subject groups to the treatments.


METHODS
A randomized, crossover study consisting of four phases of 21 days, with each phase separated by a 28-day washout.


METHODS
The Mary Emily Clinical Nutrition Research Unit of McGill University.


METHODS
Eighteen non-diabetic individuals and 16 type II diabetic individuals aged 38-74 years.


METHODS
Subjects were supplemented with plant sterols (1.8 g/day), glucomannan (10 g/day), a combination of glucomannan and plant sterols, and a placebo, provided in the form of bars.


RESULTS
Overall plasma cholesterol concentrations were lowered (P<0.05) after combination treatment (4.72+/-0.20 mmol/l) compared to control (5.47+/-0.18 mmol/l). Plasma low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol concentrations were decreased (P<0.05) after glucomannan (3.16+/-0.14 mmol/l) and combination treatments (2.95+/-0.16 mmol/l) compared to control (3.60+/-0.16 mmol/l). The results of lipid profiles did not differ between subject groups. Overall plasma lathosterol concentrations, an index of cholesterol biosynthesis, were lowered (P<0.05) after the combination treatment compared to the plant sterol treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest that glucomannan and a combination of glucomannan and plant sterols substantially improves plasma LDL cholesterol concentrations.


BACKGROUND
Forbes Medi-Tech Inc., Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Yoshida
M
M
School of Dietetics and Human Nutrition, McGill University, Montreal, Québec, Canada.
Vanstone
C A
CA
Parsons
W D
WD
Zawistowski
J
J
Jones
P J H
PJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002400:Cathartics / Q000494:pharmacology; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism*; D004357:Drug Synergism; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D050356:Lipid Metabolism / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D008351:Mannans / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D010840:Phytosterols / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use
D002400:Cathartics; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D008351:Mannans; D010840:Phytosterols; C022901:(1-6)-alpha-glucomannan; D002784:Cholesterol