Naturally-occurring phytosterols in the usual diet influence cholesterol metabolism in healthy subjects

Sanclemente, T. (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Marques-Lopes, I. (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Fajó-Pascual, M. (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Cofán, M. ; Jarauta, E. (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Ros, E. ; Puzo, J. (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; García-Otín, A. L.

Resumen: Background and aims
Modulation of cholesterol absorption is potentially an effective way of lowering blood cholesterol levels and decreasing inherent cardiovascular risk in the general population. It is well established that cholesterol absorption efficiency can be modified by the intake of foods enriched with gram-doses of phytosterols, but little is known about the effects of phytosterols in the usual diet, even though moderate doses have been reported to affect whole-body cholesterol metabolism. A way to indirectly measure cholesterol synthesis and absorption rates is by quantification of serum non-cholesterol sterols. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of naturally occurring phytosterol intake on cholesterol absorption and serum cholesterol concentrations in a Spanish free-living population.
Methods and results
A total of 85 healthy volunteers were studied regarding their dietary habits (using a validated food frequency questionnaire), lipid profile and surrogate markers of cholesterol metabolism. Subjects were classified into tertiles of total phytosterol intake, and differences in lipid profile and markers of cholesterol metabolism were assessed by multivariate linear regression models adjusted for various confounders. The estimated daily intake of phytosterols and cholesterol was 489 (median) and 513 (mean) mg, respectively. Both serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol concentration and sitosterol-to-cholesterol ratio adjusted by sitosterol intake (a surrogate marker of intestinal cholesterol absorption) decreased significantly (p < 0.05, both) across tertiles of phytosterol intake.
Conclusion
Moderate doses of phytosterols in the habitual diet might have a protective effect on the lipid profile via decreasing cholesterol absorption.

Idioma: Inglés

DOI: 10.1016/j.numecd.2011.01.010

Año: 2012

Publicado en: Nutrition, Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases 22, 10 (2012), 849-855
ISSN: 0939-4753

Factor impacto JCR: 3.978 (2012)

Categ. JCR: CARDIAC & CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEMS rank: 29 / 122 = 0.238 (2012) - Q1 - T1
Categ. JCR: NUTRITION & DIETETICS rank: 11 / 75 = 0.147 (2012) - Q1 - T1
Categ. JCR: ENDOCRINOLOGY & METABOLISM rank: 37 / 122 = 0.303 (2012) - Q2 - T1

Tipo y forma: Article (PostPrint)

Área (Departamento): Área Nutrición Bromatología (Dpto. Produc.Animal Cienc.Ali.)
Área (Departamento): Area Medicina (Dpto. Medicina, Psiqu. y Derm.)
Área (Departamento): Área Medic.Prevent.Salud Públ. (Dpto. Microb.Med.Pr.,Sal.Públ.)