title: β-glucans reduce LDL cholesterol in patients with myasthenia gravis.
abstract: We aimed at evaluating whether β-glucans could improve low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels and/or glycemic control in patients with myasthenia gravis (MG), in whom statins usually have muscle-related side effects. Fifty-nine MG patients participated in the study and received a daily dietary supplement of 3 g of β-glucans during 8 weeks. Body mass index (BMI) and blood sample analysis of lipid and glucose status were performed before and after 8 weeks intake of β-glucans. In the 52 patients who completed the study, there was a significant reduction in total cholesterol, LDL, ApoA1 and ApoB (all P<0.003). However, glycemic control and BMI were unaltered. The present study indicates that 8 weeks daily intake of 3 g of β-glucans significantly reduces total cholesterol, LDL, ApoA1 and ApoB in MG patients. β-glucans may therefore be of value in improving lipid status in MG patients, without the muscle-related side effects accompanied by statins.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, Institute of Neuroscience, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Haggård
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Andersson
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Punga
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016632:Apolipoprotein A-I / Q000097:blood; D001053:Apolipoproteins / Q000097:blood*; D001055:Apolipoproteins B / Q000097:blood; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D015992:Body Mass Index; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018908:Muscle Weakness / Q000209:etiology*; D009157:Myasthenia Gravis / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications*; D047071:beta-Glucans / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D016632:Apolipoprotein A-I; D001053:Apolipoproteins; D001055:Apolipoproteins B; D001786:Blood Glucose; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D047071:beta-Glucans