title: Lipid-altering effects of different formulations of hydroxypropylmethylcellulose.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC), a viscous, soluble dietary fiber, has been shown to be efficacious for lowering total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) concentrations. The relative effects of various dosages and viscosities of HPMC have not been fully evaluated.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To examine the lipid-altering effects of several formulations of HPMC.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this randomized, double-blind pilot study, 165 men and women with primary hypercholesterolemia consumed a control product (snack bar or drink mix) or an HPMC-containing test bar or drink for 4 weeks. HPMC-containing products delivered 3, 5, or 10g of HPMC of low, moderate, moderately high, or high viscosity (9 HPMC groups, each with ∼15 subjects).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Data from drink and bar groups were combined because there was no evidence of a vehicle effect. The resulting analysis included data from the control and 6 HPMC dose and viscosity combinations. All HPMC groups showed LDL-C reductions ranging from 6.1 to 13.3% (P < .05 vs. baseline for 6 of the 7 groups), compared with a nonsignificant reduction (1.9%) in the control group. Changes in total and non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol paralleled those for LDL-C. Concentrations of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, apolipoprotein B, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein were not significantly altered.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This pilot study provides preliminary evidence to support the efficacy of various formulations of HPMC for reducing cholesterol carried by atherogenic particles in men and women with primary hypercholesterolemia. Additional research will be required to more clearly define the roles of viscosity and dosage on the lipid-altering effects of HPMC.
authors.affiliation: Provident Clinical Research, Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Provident Clinical Research, 489 Taft Avenue, Glen Ellyn, Illinois, USA.
authors.forename: Kevin C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Maki
authors.forename: Michael L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Carson
authors.forename: W H
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Kerr Anderson
authors.forename: Jeffrey
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Geohas
authors.forename: Matthew S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Reeves
authors.forename: Mildred V
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Farmer
authors.forename: Maciej
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Turowski
authors.forename: Marvin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: Valerie N
authors.initials: VN
authors.lastname: Kaden
authors.forename: Mary R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Dicklin
authors.forename: Tia M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Rains