Anthocyanin supplementation improves serum LDL- and HDL-cholesterol concentrations associated with the inhibition of cholesteryl ester transfer protein in dyslipidemic subjects.
BACKGROUND
Anthocyanins have been shown to exert benefits on the lipid profile in many animal models. Whether these molecules have similar beneficial effects in humans is currently unknown.


OBJECTIVE
The objective was to investigate the effects of berry-derived anthocyanin supplements on the serum lipid profile in dyslipidemic patients.


METHODS
A total of 120 dyslipidemic subjects (age 40-65 y) were given 160 mg anthocyanins twice daily or placebo for 12 wk in a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial.


RESULTS
Anthocyanin consumption increased HDL-cholesterol concentrations (13.7% and 2.8% in the anthocyanin and placebo groups, respectively; P < 0.001) and decreased LDL-cholesterol concentrations (13.6% and -0.6% in the anthocyanin and placebo groups, respectively; P < 0.001). Cellular cholesterol efflux to serum increased more in the anthocyanin group than in the placebo group (20.0% and 0.2%, respectively; P < 0.001). Anthocyanin supplementation decreased the mass and activity of plasma cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) (10.4% and 6.3%, respectively, in the anthocyanin group and -3.5% and 1.1%, respectively, in the placebo group; P < 0.001). In the anthocyanin group, the change in HDL cholesterol was negatively correlated with the change in CETP activity (r(s) = -0.330). The change in LDL cholesterol was positively correlated with the change in CETP mass (r(s) = 0.354). The change in cellular cholesterol efflux to serum was positively correlated with the change in HDL cholesterol (r(s) = 0.485). In vitro, cyanidin 3-O-beta-glucosides dose-dependently lowered CETP activity in human HepG2 cells.


CONCLUSIONS
Anthocyanin supplementation in humans improves LDL- and HDL-cholesterol concentrations and enhances cellular cholesterol efflux to serum. These benefits may be due to the inhibition of CETP.
Qin
Yu
Y
Department of Nutrition, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China.
Xia
Min
M
Ma
Jing
J
Hao
YuanTao
Y
Liu
Jing
J
Mou
HaiYing
H
Cao
Li
L
Ling
WenHua
W
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000872:Anthocyanins / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001692:Biological Transport; D002460:Cell Line; D053480:Cholesterol Ester Transfer Proteins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood*; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D050171:Dyslipidemias / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D005638:Fruit; D005960:Glucosides / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000872:Anthocyanins; C506642:CETP protein, human; D053480:Cholesterol Ester Transfer Proteins; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D005960:Glucosides; D010936:Plant Extracts; C462279:cyanidin-3-O-beta-glucopyranoside