Evaluation of cardiovascular risk and oxidative stress parameters in hypercholesterolemic subjects on a standard healthy diet including low-fat milk enriched with plant sterols.
A healthy diet and plant sterols (PS) are recommended for reducing low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and, subsequently, the risk of premature cardiovascular disease. PS mediate a decrease in fat-soluble vitamin concentration, which can lead to a general impairment of antioxidative defenses and an increase in oxidative stress. Thus, we evaluated the effects of a healthy diet, including PS-enriched low-fat milk, on cardiovascular risk and oxidative stress parameters in hypercholesterolemic subjects. This was a randomized parallel trial employing 40 subjects and consisting of two 3-month intervention phases. After 3 months on a standard healthy diet, subjects were divided into two intervention groups: a diet group and a diet+PS group (2 g/day). Lipid profile, apolipoproteins, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and oxidative stress parameters were analyzed. Diet significantly reduced total and LDL cholesterol (4.0% and 4.7%, respectively), produced an increase in the level of beta-carotene (23%) and improved the antioxidant capacity of LDL cholesterol particles (4.6%). PS induced a significant decrease in total cholesterol (6.4%), LDL (9.9%) and the apolipoprotein B100/apolipoprotein A1 ratio (4.9%), but led to a decrease in cryptoxanthin level (29%) without any change being observed in the antioxidant capacity of LDL cholesterol particles, total antioxidant status or lipid peroxidation. After 3 months, we observed the positive effect of including a PS supplement in dietary measures, as the lipoprotein-mediated risk of cardiovascular disease was reduced. Despite a decrease in the concentration of cryptoxanthin, no evidence of a global impairment of antioxidative defenses or an enhancement of oxidative stress parameters was found.
Bañuls
Celia
C
Service of Endocrinology, University Hospital Dr. Peset, Valencia, Spain.
Martínez-Triguero
María L
ML
López-Ruiz
Antonio
A
Morillas
Carlos
C
Lacomba
Ramon
R
Víctor
Víctor M
VM
Rocha
Milagros
M
Hernández-Mijares
Antonio
A
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D008892:Milk / Q000378:metabolism*; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects*; D010840:Phytosterols / Q000494:pharmacology*
D010840:Phytosterols