Basal plasma concentrations of plant sterols can predict LDL-C response to sitosterol in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia.
BACKGROUND
Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is associated with a high risk of coronary heart disease. Pharmacological treatment and diet are both essential for the management of FH. Foods rich in plant sterols (PS) may play an important role in the treatment of patients with these disorders.


OBJECTIVE
To test the effect of the intake of PS on low-density lipoprotein (LDL) concentration, endothelial function (EF) and LDL particle size in 30 patients with FH.


METHODS
Randomized and crossover dietary intervention study.


METHODS
Tertiary outpatient care.


METHODS
Thirty-eight were recruited, but only 30 were subjected to four low-fat dietary intervention periods, each of 4 weeks.


METHODS
Each intervention had a different content of cholesterol (<150 or 300 mg/day) and sitosterol (<1 or 2 g/day). Lipid response, EF and LDL particle size were analysed after the intervention.


RESULTS
Plasma sitosterol/cholesterol ratio was higher during both plant sterol-rich periods than during the low plant sterols periods. Basal sitosterol concentrations predicted the LDL-cholesterol response during the intake of plant sterol-enriched diets. The change in LDL-cholesterol was significantly greater in subjects in the upper and intermediate tertiles of basal plasma sitosterol concentrations (-21+/-8 mg/dl, P=0.03; -19+/-7 mg/dl, P=0.04, respectively) than in subjects in the lower tertile (8+/-5 mg/dl) when they changed from a low cholesterol diet to a low cholesterol plus plant sterol diet.


CONCLUSIONS
Our study demonstrates that basal sitosterol values can predict hypolipidemic response in patients with FH.
Fuentes
F
F
Lipids and Atherosclerosis Unit, Hospital Universitario Reina Sofía, Ciber Fisiopatología Obesidad y Nutrición Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Córdoba, Spain.
López-Miranda
J
J
García
A
A
Pérez-Martínez
P
P
Moreno
J
J
Cofan
M
M
Caballero
J
J
Paniagua
J A
JA
Ros
E
E
Pérez-Jiménez
F
F
D000328:Adult; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D018752:Diet, Fat-Restricted; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006938:Hyperlipoproteinemia Type II / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D010316:Particle Size; D010840:Phytosterols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012855:Sitosterols / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents; D010840:Phytosterols; D012855:Sitosterols; C025473:gamma-sitosterol