title: Phytosterols supplementation decreases plasma small and dense LDL levels in metabolic syndrome patients on a westernized type diet.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Several studies have observed a hypocholesterolemic effect of plant sterols in hypercholesterolemic patients on a balanced diet. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of phytosterol supplementation on risk factors of coronary artery disease in metabolic syndrome patients on a Westernized type diet.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In a randomized placebo-controlled design 108 patients with metabolic syndrome were assigned to consume either 2 plant sterol-enriched yogurt mini drink which provided 4 g phytosterols per day, or a yogurt beverage without phytosterols (control). The duration of the study was 2 months and the patients in both groups followed their habitual westernized type diet and recording it on food diaries. Blood samples were drawn at baseline and after 2 months of intervention. After 2 months supplementation with phytosterols, a significant reduction in total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, small and dense LDL (sdLDL) levels, as well as, apoB and triglycerides concentrations were observed in the intervention group (P < 0.05) compared to the control group. In addition, phytosterol supplementation lowered serum total cholesterol by 15.9%, LDL-cholesterol by 20.3% and triglyceride levels by 19.1% (P = 0.02, P < 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively), although the patients kept their habitual westernized type diet. No differences were observed in HDL cholesterol, apoA1, glucose, C-reactive protein, fibrinogen levels and blood pressure.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Phytosterol supplementation improves risk factors of coronary artery disease even if the diet is a westernized type.
authors.affiliation: Unit of Human Nutrition, Department of Food Science and Technology, Agricultural University of Athens, Iera Odos 75, Athens 11855, Greece.
authors.forename: T E
authors.initials: TE
authors.lastname: Sialvera
authors.forename: G D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Pounis
authors.forename: A E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Koutelidakis
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Richter
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Yfanti
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kapsokefalou
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Goumas
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Chiotinis
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Diamantopoulos
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zampelas
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016632:Apolipoprotein A-I / Q000097:blood; D062186:Arterial Pressure; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood*; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D004032:Diet; D015930:Diet Records; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D002149:Energy Intake; D005260:Female; D005340:Fibrinogen / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010840:Phytosterols / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D012307:Risk Factors; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood; D015014:Yogurt
chemical_list: C505693:APOA1 protein, human; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D016632:Apolipoprotein A-I; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D010840:Phytosterols; D014280:Triglycerides; D005340:Fibrinogen; D002097:C-Reactive Protein