title: LDL-cholesterol-lowering effect of a dietary supplement with plant extracts in subjects with moderate hypercholesterolemia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Red yeast rice (RYR), sugar cane-derived policosanols (SCdP) and artichoke leaf extracts (ALEs) are currently incorporated alone or in combination into dietary supplements for their potential low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-cholesterol)-lowering effects. Yet, there is no information supporting the efficacy of this association on the reduction in LDL-cholesterol. The main objective of this study was to investigate the effects of a new dietary supplement (DS) with RYR, SCdP and ALEs on LDL-cholesterol.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a double-blind, randomized, parallel controlled study, 39 subjects from 21 to 55 years with moderate hypercholesterolemia without drug treatment were assigned to 2 groups and then consumed either a DS containing RYR, SCdP and ALEs or a placebo over a 16-week period. Plasma concentrations of lipids [LDL-cholesterol, total cholesterol (TC), high-density-lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-cholesterol), triacylglycerols (TG)] and plasma levels of vitamins C and E, total polyphenols and malondialdehyde were determined at baseline and after 4, 8, 12 and 16 weeks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  LDL-cholesterol and TC were reduced by, respectively, 21.4 % (95 % CI, -13.3 to -24.9 %, p < 0.001) and 14.1 % (95 % CI, -10.1 to -18.0 %, p < 0.001) at week 16 in the DS group compared with baseline. Similar results were obtained at weeks 4, 8 and 12. TG decreased by 12.2 % after 16 weeks in the DS group (95 % CI: -24.4 to -0.1 %, p < 0.05). For the vitamin E/TC ratio, a difference was observed between groups at week 16 (p < 0.05). Other parameters were not modified.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Daily consumption of this new DS decreased LDL-cholesterol and TC and is therefore an interesting, convenient aid in managing mild to moderate hypercholesterolemia.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire Lescuyer, Department of Research, ZAC Belle-Aire Nord, Aytré, France.
authors.forename: Nicolas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ogier
authors.forename: Marie-Josèphe
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Amiot
authors.forename: Stéphane
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Georgé
authors.forename: Matthieu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Maillot
authors.forename: Cécilia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mallmann
authors.forename: Marie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Maraninchi
authors.forename: Sophie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Morange
authors.forename: Jean-François
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Lescuyer
authors.forename: Sébastien L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Peltier
authors.forename: Nicolas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Cardinault
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000097:blood; D001688:Biological Products / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood*; D031943:Cynara scolymus / Q000737:chemistry; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005233:Fatty Alcohols / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000097:blood; D008875:Middle Aged; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry; D059808:Polyphenols / Q000097:blood; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000097:blood; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D001688:Biological Products; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D005233:Fatty Alcohols; D010936:Plant Extracts; D059808:Polyphenols; D014280:Triglycerides; C117343:red yeast rice; D014810:Vitamin E; C080710:policosanol; D008315:Malondialdehyde; D001205:Ascorbic Acid