title: Supplementation with Aspergillus oryzae-fermented kochujang lowers serum cholesterol in subjects with hyperlipidemia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Kochujang, a traditional fermented red pepper paste, is known for its hypocholesterolemic effect; however, these studies used non-commercial preparations of kochujang. In this study, we examined whether commercially-made kochujang in which Aspergillus oryzae (also known as koji) was used as a microorganism for fermentation has the same cholesterol-lowering effects.
  
  
  METHODS
  Hyperlipidemic subjects (based upon criteria of 110 ∼ 190 mg/dL LDL cholesterol or 200 ∼ 260 mg/dL total cholesterol) who had not been diagnosed with any disease and met the inclusion criteria were recruited for this study. The 30 subjects were randomly divided into either the kochujang (n = 15) or placebo (n = 15) group. All subjects ingested either the kochujang pill (34.5 g/d) or a placebo three times daily during meals for 12 weeks. Outcomes included measurements of efficacy (total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, and triglyceride) and safety (adverse events, laboratory tests, electrocardiogram, and vital signs).
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the kochujang-supplemented group, subjects' total cholesterol level significantly decreased (from 215.5 ± 16.1 mg/dL to 194.5 ± 25.4 mg/dL, p = 0.001). LDL-C cholesterol levels were also decreased by kochujang supplementation (from 133.6 ± 14.8 mg/dL to 113.5 ± 23.1 mg/dL); however no significant difference was seen between groups (p = 0.074). There were no statistically significant differences in HDL-cholesterol and triglyceride levels between the supplemented and non-supplemented groups. None of the subjects complained of any adverse effects.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results indicate that A. oryzae-fermented kochujang elicits a significant hypocholesterolemic effect and might be useful for improving blood cholesterol levels in subjects at high risk for cardiovascular disease.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  NCT01865370.
authors: Clinical Trial Center for Functional Foods, Chonbuk National University Hospital, 20 Geonji-ro, Deokjin-gu, Jeonju, Jeonbuk 561-712, Republic of Korea.
authors: Ji-Hee
authors: JH
authors: Lim
authors: Clinical Trial Center for Functional Foods, Chonbuk National University Hospital, 20 Geonji-ro, Deokjin-gu, Jeonju, Jeonbuk 561-712, Republic of Korea.
authors: Eun-Soo
authors: ES
authors: Jung
authors: Clinical Trial Center for Functional Foods, Chonbuk National University Hospital, 20 Geonji-ro, Deokjin-gu, Jeonju, Jeonbuk 561-712, Republic of Korea.
authors: Eun-Kyung
authors: EK
authors: Choi
authors: Sunchang Research Center for Fermentation Microbes, 850-17, Sunchang-eup, Sunchang-gun, Jeonbuk 595-804, Republic of Korea.
authors: Do-Yeoun
authors: DY
authors: Jeong
authors: Sunchang Research Center for Fermentation Microbes, 850-17, Sunchang-eup, Sunchang-gun, Jeonbuk 595-804, Republic of Korea.
authors: Seung-Wha
authors: SW
authors: Jo
authors: Daesang R&D Center, 125-8, Pyokyo-ri, Majang-myun, Incheon, Gyeonggi-do 467-813, Republic of Korea.
authors: Jung-Hyun
authors: JH
authors: Jin
authors: Daesang R&D Center, 125-8, Pyokyo-ri, Majang-myun, Incheon, Gyeonggi-do 467-813, Republic of Korea.
authors: Jung-Mi
authors: JM
authors: Lee
authors: Department of Biochemistry, Chonbuk National University Medical School, 567 Baekje-daero, Deokjin-gu, Jeonju, Jeonbuk 561-756, Republic of Korea.
authors: Byung-Hyun
authors: BH
authors: Park
authors: Clinical Trial Center for Functional Foods, Chonbuk National University Hospital, 20 Geonji-ro, Deokjin-gu, Jeonju, Jeonbuk 561-712, Republic of Korea; Clinical Trial Center, Chonbuk National University Hospital, 20 Geonji-ro, Deokjin-gu, Jeonju, Jeonbuk 561-712, Republic of Korea; Department of Pharmacology, Chonbuk National University Medical School, 567 Baekje-daero, Deokjin-gu, Jeonju, Jeonbuk 561-756, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: soowan@jbnu.ac.kr.
authors: Soo-Wan
authors: SW
authors: Chae
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001236:Aspergillus oryzae; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005285:Fermentation; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006949:Hyperlipidemias / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D014280:Triglycerides
keywords: Clinical trial; Fermentation; Hyperlipidemia; Kochujang