title: Middle-Term Dietary Supplementation with Red Yeast Rice Plus Coenzyme Q10 Improves Lipid Pattern, Endothelial Reactivity and Arterial Stiffness in Moderately Hypercholesterolemic Subjects.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of our study was to investigate whether treatment with red yeast rice added with Coenzyme Q10 is associated with changes in endothelial function and arterial stiffness.
  
  
  METHODS
  This double blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial was carried out on 40 non-smoker moderately hypercholesterolemic subjects (ClinicalTrial.gov ID NCT02492464). After 4 weeks of diet and physical activity, patients were allocated to treatment with placebo or with an active product containing 10 mg monacolins and 30 mg Coenzyme Q10, to be assumed for 6 months. Endothelial reactivity and arterial stiffness have been measured through the validated Vicorder® device.
  
  
  RESULTS
  During monacolin treatment, patients experienced a more favorable percentage change in low density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol (after monacolin treatment: -26.3%; after placebo treatment: +3.4%, p < 0.05). Endothelial reactivity (pulse volume displacement after monacolin treatment: +6.0%; after placebo treatment: -0.3%, p < 0.05), and arterial stiffness (pulse wave velocity (PWV) after monacolin treatment: -4.7%; after placebo: +1.1%, p < 0.05) also significantly improved only after monacolin treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The long-term assumption of the tested dietary supplement is associated with an improvement in LDL-cholesterolemia, endothelial reactivity and PWV in moderately hypercholesterolemic subjects.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Arrigo F G
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Cicero
authors.forename: Martino
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Morbini
authors.forename: Martina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rosticci
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: D''Addato
authors.forename: Elisa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Grandi
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Borghi
mesh_terms: D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001688:Biological Products / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D038441:Diet, Mediterranean; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000097:blood / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D032741:Monascus / Q000737:chemistry; D009281:Naphthalenes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014451:Ubiquinone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014652:Vascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014655:Vascular Resistance; D059289:Vascular Stiffness
chemical_list: D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D001688:Biological Products; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D009281:Naphthalenes; C117343:red yeast rice; D014451:Ubiquinone; C024989:coenzyme Q10