Faecal varieties between high- and low-converters of cholesterol.
BACKGROUND
Analyzing faecal sterol concentrations in humans, subjects with a strongly decreased faecal cholesterol conversion were identified. The reasons and outcomes of this phenomenon have not been sufficiently investigated because of the complexity of the host-microflora interactions.


METHODS
To evaluate differences between cholesterol high and low converters, the sterol excretion and faeces attributes of 320 healthy subjects (213 women, 107 men) were analyzed. Two different cut-off levels classifying cholesterol high and low converters were tested (level 1: conversion rate <30%; level 2: 50th percentile).


RESULTS
In both test models the faeces attributes differ significantly in a lower pH value and a lower faecal dry matter of the low converters in comparison with the high converters.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings in faeces may reflect the conditions in the colon and can be a reason for the decreased bacterial growth and/or activity of cholesterol-reducing bacteria in the colonic microflora.
Keller
S
S
Department of Nutritional Physiology, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany. Sylvia.Keller@uni-jena.de
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000378:metabolism*; D003106:Colon / Q000382:microbiology*; D005243:Feces / Q000737:chemistry*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008297:Male; D012016:Reference Values; D055815:Young Adult
D002784:Cholesterol