Effects of plant sterol and stanol ester consumption on lipid metabolism, antioxidant status and markers of oxidative stress, endothelial function and low-grade inflammation in patients on current statin treatment

Eur J Clin Nutr. 2008 Feb;62(2):263-73. doi: 10.1038/sj.ejcn.1602733. Epub 2007 May 9.

Abstract

Objective: The present study was designed to examine for the first time, side-by-side, the effects of plant sterol and stanol consumption on lipid metabolism and markers of antioxidant status, oxidative stress, endothelial dysfunction and low-grade inflammation in subjects on stable statin-treatment.

Design: Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, intervention trial.

Setting: University.

Subjects: Forty-five patients on current statin treatment were recruited via newspaper advertisements. Data of 41 patients were used in statistical analysis.

Intervention: Subjects consumed margarine with no added plant sterols or stanols for 4 weeks and were then divided into three groups of 15 subjects. For the next 16 weeks, one group continued with the control margarine and the other two groups with either a plant sterol- or stanol (2.5 g/day)-enriched margarine. Blood was sampled at the end of the run-in and intervention periods.

Results: Plant sterol and stanol consumption significantly (P=0.026) reduced low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol by 0.34 mmol/l (95% confidence interval (CI), -0.67 to -0.04 mmol/l). No effects were shown on enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants and markers of oxidative modification of lipids and DNA. In addition, no effect was found on soluble adhesion molecules, C-reactive protein and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 concentrations.

Conclusions: We conclude that 16 weeks of plant sterol or stanol consumption did not affect markers of antioxidant status, oxidative stress, endothelial dysfunction and low-grade inflammation in patients on stable statin treatment, despite a significant reduction of LDL cholesterol.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Anticholesteremic Agents / pharmacology
  • Antioxidants / metabolism
  • C-Reactive Protein / drug effects
  • C-Reactive Protein / metabolism
  • Cholesterol, LDL / blood
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Endothelium, Vascular / drug effects*
  • Female
  • Food, Fortified
  • Humans
  • Lipid Metabolism / drug effects*
  • Male
  • Margarine
  • Middle Aged
  • Oxidation-Reduction
  • Oxidative Stress / drug effects*
  • Phytosterols / pharmacology*
  • Sitosterols / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Anticholesteremic Agents
  • Antioxidants
  • Cholesterol, LDL
  • Phytosterols
  • Sitosterols
  • plant stanol ester
  • Margarine
  • C-Reactive Protein