Safety aspects and cholesterol-lowering efficacy of chitosan tablets.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of two different doses of chitosan on serum fat-soluble vitamin concentrations, cholesterol concentrations, and other safety parameters.


METHODS
A total of 65 men and women consumed 0, 4.5, 6.75 g per day of chitosan or 6.75 g per day glucomannan for eight weeks in a parallel, placebo-controlled, single-blind study. Altogether, 56 participants completed the study.


RESULTS
No differences were detected among the treatments in serum vitamins (vitamin A, vitamin E, 25-hydroxyvitamin D), carotenes (alpha- and beta-carotene), clinical chemistry or hematology measurements. The changes in the total and LDL-cholesterol concentrations among the study groups were not statistically significant.


CONCLUSIONS
In the present study, the consumption of chitosan tablets was found to be safe, but there was no significant effect on cholesterol concentration.
Tapola
Niina S
NS
Oy Foodfiles Ltd, Neulaniementie, Finland.
Lyyra
Mari L
ML
Kolehmainen
Riikka M
RM
Sarkkinen
Essi S
ES
Schauss
Alexander G
AG
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000097:blood; D048271:Chitosan / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000097:blood; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000097:blood; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000097:blood
D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D014801:Vitamin A; D014807:Vitamin D; D014810:Vitamin E; D002338:Carotenoids; D048271:Chitosan; D002784:Cholesterol; C104450:25-hydroxyvitamin D