Physiological effects of concentrated barley beta-glucan in mildly hypercholesterolemic adults.
OBJECTIVE
Barley fiber rich in beta-glucans lowers serum lipids, but is difficult to incorporate into products acceptable to consumers. We investigated the physiological effects of two concentrated barley beta-glucans on cardiovascular disease (CVD) endpoints and body weight in human subjects.


METHODS
Hypercholesterolemic men and women (n = 90) were randomly assigned to one of two treatments: low molecular weight (low-MW) or high molecular weight (high-MW) concentrated barley beta-glucan consumed as a daily supplement containing 6 grams beta-glucan/day. Fasting blood samples were collected at baseline and week 6 and analyzed for total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose, insulin, homocysteine and C-reactive protein (CRP). Dietary intakes, body weights, blood pressure, hunger ratings, and gastrointestinal symptoms were measured at baseline and 6 weeks.


RESULTS
The only difference between treatments in lipid outcomes at week 6 was a reduction of the cholesterol/HDL ratio in the low-MW group and a small increase in the high-MW group. No changes were found in blood pressure, glucose, insulin, and gastrointestinal symptoms. Body weight decreased from baseline to 6 weeks in the high-MW group while body weight increased in the low-MW group. Levels of hunger decreased slightly in the low-MW group and decreased significantly in the high-MW group (P = 0.02)


CONCLUSIONS
Overall, supplementation with isolated barley beta-glucans of different molecular weights had small effects on cardiovascular disease markers. Molecular weight of the barley fiber did alter effects on body weight with the high-MW fiber significantly decreasing body weight.
Department of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55108, USA.
Kristen N
KN
Smith
Katie M
KM
Queenan
William
W
Thomas
R Gary
RG
Fulcher
Joanne L
JL
Slavin
D000328:Adult; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood / Q000502:physiology; D004043:Dietary Fiber; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D002149:Energy Intake; D005260:Female; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000502:physiology; D001467:Hordeum; D006801:Humans; D006815:Hunger / Q000187:drug effects*; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008517:Phytotherapy; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood; D047071:beta-Glucans / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use
D001786:Blood Glucose; D004043:Dietary Fiber; D007328:Insulin; D014280:Triglycerides; D047071:beta-Glucans; D002784:Cholesterol