Effects of soluble fiber (Plantago ovata husk) on plasma lipids, lipoproteins, and apolipoproteins in men with ischemic heart disease.

BACKGROUND: New dietary strategies to reduce cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk include the addition of fiber to the diet. The effect of soluble-fiber consumption derived from Plantago ovata husk on lipid risk factors in patients with CVD is unknown. OBJECTIVE: We compared the effects of soluble fiber (P. ovata husk) with those of insoluble fiber (P. ovata seeds) on plasma lipid, lipoprotein, and apolipoprotein (apo) concentrations within a CVD secondary prevention program. DESIGN: In a randomized, crossover, controlled, single-blind design, 28 men with CVD (myocardial infarction or stable angina) and an LDL-cholesterol concentration

Body mass index correlates with atherogenic lipoprotein profile even in nonobese, normoglycemic, and normolipidemic healthy men.

OBJECTIVE: To establish a relationship between body mass index (BMI), lipid, and lipoprotein parameters among nonobese, normoglycemic, and normolipidemic healthy men without any cardiovascular, metabolic, or chronic diseases. METHODS: A total of 297 healthy, nonsmoking males between 20 and 75 years were recruited. Exclusion criteria included familial hypercholesterolemia, any chronic diseases, and BMI ≥ 30 kg/m(2). Lipid and lipoprotein particles were determined by standard methods, with the use of ultracentrifugation and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Cholesterol in remnant-like particles (RLPc) was also determined. RESULTS: These healthy volunteers were separated into two groups: normoweight (BMI > 19 kg/m(2) and <25 kg/m(2) [n = 143]) and overweight (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m(2) and <30 kg/m(2) [n = 154]). Overweight participants were older (P < .001) compared to normoweight. Both groups had low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels (<130 mg/dL) considered as desirable, and although both groups had plasma triglyceride levels within the nonpathological range, overweight participants presented with 30% higher triglyceride levels (P < .001) and 9% lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P < .001) compared to normoweight individuals. Although LDL was comparable between groups, NMR analysis showed that overweight participants had 27% more total LDL particles due to a 16% decrease in large LDL (P < .001) and 70% increase in the smaller subclasses (P < .001). In overweight participants, NMR analysis also showed a 2-fold increase in large very low-density lipoprotein (P = .001), and 30% more medium very low-density lipoprotein particles (P = .020). Overweight participants also had 70% more intermediate-density lipoprotein particles (P = .010), a 30% decrease in large high-density lipoprotein particles (P < .001), and a 39% increase in RLPc levels (P = .005). Results were adjusted for age and fat intake. CONCLUSION: BMI correlates with a shift toward a more proatherogenic lipoprotein profile even in individuals whose lipid levels were not elevated.

Evidence of hypolipemiant and antioxidant properties of argan oil derived from the argan tree (Argania spinosa).

BACKGROUND: Virgin argan oil is of interest in cardiovascular risk prevention due to its fat composition and antioxidant compounds. AIMS: We investigated with Moroccan subjects the effect of regular virgin argan oil consumption on lipid profile and antioxidant status and the in vitro effect of argan oil minor compounds (tocopherols, sterols and polyphenols) on LDL peroxidation. DESIGN: Healthy subjects (20 men, 76 women) were studied. Sixty-two were regular consumers of argan oil and 34 were non-consumers. METHODS: Fasting plasma lipids, antioxidant vitamins and LDL oxidation susceptibility were analyzed. In vitro LDL oxidation by phenolic and apolar compounds of virgin argan oil were performed. RESULTS: Diet composition of argan oil consumers has a higher significant content of polyunsaturated fatty acids than that of non-consumers (8.8 +/- 1.0 vs. 6.6 +/- 0.9 g, P < 0.05). Subjects consuming argan oil have lower levels of plasma LDL cholesterol (12.7%, P < 0.05) and Lp(a) (25.3%, P < 0.05) compared with the non-consumers. In argan oil consumers, plasma lipoperoxides were lower (58.3%, P < 0.01) and molar ratio alpha-tocopherol/total cholesterol (21.6%, P < 0.05) and alpha-tocopherol concentration (13.4%, P < 0.05) were higher compared with the non-consumers group. In spite of higher levels of plasma antioxidant and lower levels of lipoperoxides in argan oil consumers, LDL oxidation susceptibility remained fairly similar. A strong positive correlation was observed between increasing phenolic extract, sterol and tocopherol concentrations and the LDL-Lag phase (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest for the first time that regular consumption of virgin argan oil induces a lowering of LDL cholesterol and has antioxidant properties. This oil offers an additional natural food to reducing cardiovascular risk.

Cocoa, hazelnuts, sterols and soluble fiber cream reduces lipids and inflammation biomarkers in hypertensive patients: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Cocoa, mixed with other food ingredients, intake can have beneficial effects on cardiovascular disease (CVD) biomarkers. We compared the effects of 4 cocoa cream products on some of these biomarkers. METHODS AND FINDINGS: In this multi-centered, randomized, controlled, double-blind, parallel trial, volunteers (n = 113; age range: 43-65 years) who were pre-hypertensive, stage-1 hypertensive and hypercholesterolemic received one of 4 cocoa cream products (13 g/unit; 1 g cocoa/unit, 6 units/d; 465 Kcal/d) added to a low saturated fat diet for 4 weeks. The groups were: A) (n = 28), cocoa cream considered as control; B) (n = 28), cocoa+hazelnut cream (30 g/d hazelnuts); C) (n = 30), cocoa+hazelnuts+phytosterols (2 g/d); and D) (n = 27), cocoa+hazelnuts+phytosterols+soluble fiber (20 g/d) the patented "LMN product". Primary outcome measures were BP, LDL-c, apolipoprotein B-100 (Apo B), ApoB/ApoA ratio, oxidized LDL (oxLDL) and high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP) determined at baseline and post-cocoa cream product intake. Statistical analysis used was ANCOVA or mixed models (in case of repeated measurements), with baseline observation included as a covariate. After 4 weeks, compared to product A, product C reduced LDL-c by 11.2%, Apo B by 8.1% and ApoB/ApoA ratio by 7.8% (P = 0.01). LMN decreased LDL-c by 9.2%, Apo B-100 by 8.5%, ApoB/ApoA ratio by 10.5%, hsCRP by 33.4% and oxLDL by 5.9% (P = 0.01). Surprisingly, even "control" product A reduced systolic BP (-7.89 mmHg; 95%CI: -11.45 to -4.3) and diastolic BP (-5.54 mmHg; 95%CI: -7.79 to -3.29). The BP reductions were similar with the other 3 products. Limitations of the study are that the trial period was relatively short and that a better "BP control" product would have been preferable. CONCLUSION: The creams (particularly the LMN) have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects in addition to lowering LDL-c, Apo B and ApoB/ApoA ratio. Thus, the soluble fiber effects amplified with sterols (as contained in the cocoa creams) provide new dietary therapeutic perspectives. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov NCT00511420.

Increased concentrations of circulating vitamin E in carriers of the apolipoprotein A5 gene - 1131T>C variant and associations with plasma lipids and lipid peroxidation.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the apolipoprotein A5 (APOA5) 1131T>C gene variant on vitamin E status and lipid profile. The gene variant was determined in 297 healthy nonsmoking men aged 20-75 years and recruited in the VITAGE Project. Effects of the genotype on vitamin E in plasma, LDL, and buccal mucosa cells (BMC) as well as on cholesterol and triglyceride (TG) concentrations in plasma and apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I), apoB, apoE, apoC-III, and plasma fatty acids were determined. Plasma malondialdehyde concentrations as a marker of in vivo lipid peroxidation were determined. C allele carriers showed significantly higher TG, VLDL, and LDL in plasma, higher cholesterol in VLDL and intermediate density lipoprotein, and higher plasma fatty acids. Plasma alpha-tocopherol (but not gamma-tocopherol, LDL alpha- and gamma-tocopherol, or BMC total vitamin E) was increased significantly in C allele carriers compared with homozygote T allele carriers (P = 0.02), but not after adjustment for cholesterol or TG. Plasma malondialdehyde concentrations did not differ between genotypes. In conclusion, higher plasma lipids in the TC+CC genotype are efficiently protected against lipid peroxidation by higher alpha-tocopherol concentrations. Lipid-standardized vitamin E should be used to reliably assess vitamin E status in genetic association studies.