title: Do clinical and experimental investigations support an antiatherogenic role for dietary phytosterols/stanols?
abstract: The plasma cholesterol-reducing effect of phytosterols (PS) has been recognized in several studies, but the usefulness of PS in preventing coronary heart disease remains controversial, as some investigations claim that the high PS concentrations found in plasma and specific tissues are related to an increased risk of cardiovascular events. It has also been demonstrated that PS may induce inflammation and reduce cholesterol efflux from macrophages, conditions that are directly implicated in the development of atherosclerosis. As to arterial dysfunction and atherosclerosis, some studies have concluded that plasma PS concentrations are unrelated or only weakly related or that PS intake or plasma PS concentrations are harmful. Thus, in light of the National Cholesterol Education Program-ATPIII report, it is necessary to evaluate the relevance of their findings. To this end, we have evaluated the studies conducted on cells, animal models, and humans regarding the influence of PS on the development of atherosclerosis.
authors.affiliation: Endocrinology and Metabolism Division, Lipids Lab (LIM-10), University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil. amlottenberg@uol.com.br
authors.forename: Ana Maria
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Lottenberg
authors.forename: Renata P A
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Bombo
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ilha
authors.forename: Valeria Sutti
authors.initials: VS
authors.lastname: Nunes
authors.forename: Edna R
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Nakandakare
authors.forename: Eder C R
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Quintão
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000378:metabolism; D002791:Cholesterol, Dietary / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D004032:Diet / Q000009:adverse effects; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D007408:Intestinal Absorption; D051379:Mice; D008954:Models, Biological; D010840:Phytosterols / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D012307:Risk Factors; D057170:Translational Research, Biomedical
chemical_list: D002791:Cholesterol, Dietary; D010840:Phytosterols; D002784:Cholesterol