Efficacy of Monascus purpureus Went rice on lowering lipid ratios in hypercholesterolemic patients.
BACKGROUND
Several lipid ratios may be predictors of coronary artery disease risk. We assessed the efficacy of Monascus purpureus Went rice (red yeast rice) on lowering lipid ratios.


RESULTS
We evaluated 79 hypercholesterolemic patients (aged 23-65 years) who received a twice-daily dose of either red yeast rice or a placebo at 600 mg for 8 weeks. The 8-week treatment with red yeast rice showed significantly greater reduction than the placebo treatment in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, total cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and apolipoprotein B/apolipoprotein A-I ratios.


CONCLUSIONS
Red yeast rice can reduce lipid ratios in hypercholesterolemic patients.
Huang
Chien-Fang
CF
Department of Family Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan, Republic of China.
Li
Tsai-Chung
TC
Lin
Cheng-Chieh
CC
Liu
Chiu-Shong
CS
Shih
Hung-Chang
HC
Lai
Ming-May
MM
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016632:Apolipoprotein A-I / Q000097:blood; D001055:Apolipoproteins B / Q000097:blood; D001688:Biological Products / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002214:Capsules; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D032741:Monascus; D008517:Phytotherapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D016632:Apolipoprotein A-I; D001055:Apolipoproteins B; D001688:Biological Products; D002214:Capsules; D008055:Lipids; C117343:red yeast rice; D002784:Cholesterol