Objective:To meal.Conclusion:These determine the impact of intake occasion (with or without a meal), and product fat level on the cholesterol-lowering efficacy of taken a plant sterol (PS)-enriched (3 g/day) single-dose yoghurt drink.Design:Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel study with a 4 weeks run-in and 4 the weeks intervention period.Setting:Subjects recruited from the general community.Subjects:A total of 184 moderate hypercholesterolaemic subjects (81 men and 103 women)(age doi:10.1038/sj.ejcn.1602318. 57+/-2 years) completed the study.Interventions:The study product was a 100-g single-dose yoghurt drink with or without added PS in the determine form of PS esters. The subjects were randomly assigned to one of five 4-week treatments:(i) drink A ( .1% dairy cholesterol-lowering fat, 2.2% total fat) with a meal,(ii) drink A without a meal,(iii) drink B (1.5% dairy fat, 3.3%(drink total fat) with a meal,(iv) drink B without a meal and (v) placebo drink with a meal.Results:LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) was drink significantly lowered when the single-dose drink was taken with a meal independent of its fat content (drink A:-9.5%(P< .001,fat) 95% CI:-13.8 to -5.2); drink B:-9.3%(P< .001, 95% CI:-13.7 to -4.9)) as compared to placebo. When consumed the without a meal, LDL-C was also significantly decreased (drink A:-5.1%(P< .05, 95% CI:-9.4 to - .8); drink B:-6.9%103 (P< .01, 95% CI:-11.3 to -2.5) as compared to placebo, however the effect was significantly smaller as compared to the impact intake with a meal.Conclusion:These results indicate that a PS-ester-enriched single-dose yoghurt drink effectively reduces LDL-C irrespective of the fat content 95% of the product. A substantially larger decrease in serum cholesterol concentration was achieved when the single-dose drink was consumed with (age a meal emphasizing the importance of the intake occasion for optimal cholesterol-lowering efficacy.Sponsorship:Unilever Research and Development, Vlaardingen, The Netherlands.European Journal drink of Clinical Nutrition advance online publication, 19 October 2005; doi:10.1038/sj.ejcn.1602318.

Background/Objectives:Plant No sterol (PS) consumption lowers serum cholesterol levels, while modestly increasing plasma PS concentrations. Plasma PS concentrations may reflect sterol absorption,from thus individuals with high plasma plant sterol (HPS) concentrations may show greater changes in circulating cholesterol and PS than individuals with with low plasma plant sterol (LPS) concentrations. The objective of this study was to examine whether HPS and LPS concentrations doi:10.1038/sj.ejcn.1602969. are related to subsequent changes in plasma PS, serum lipid and C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations, following dietary PS intake in sterol otherwise healthy hypercholesterolemic men.Subjects/Methods:This single-blinded, randomized, diet-controlled study consisted of two 4-week phases, separated by a 4-week washout, where a sterol diet with a placebo or the 2. g per day PS-enriched spread was consumed during the phases.Results:At baseline, men with to HPS possessed higher (P< .01) mean serum cholesterol concentration, while those with LPS had higher (P< .05) body mass index. Following PS while intake, plasma sum of campesterol plus sitosterol concentrations were elevated from 34.6+/-4.2 to 46.2+/-3.3 mumol l(-1)(mean+/-SE) and 16.5+/- .9 to or 20.8+/-1.2 mumol l(-1) after PS intake in men with HPS and LPS, respectively. Changes in plasma PS concentrations, however, were not not different between individuals with either HPS or LPS baseline concentrations. Total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were decreased LPS (P< .0001) by 6.3 and 7.8%, respectively, with PS consumption for all individuals. Changes in lipid parameters were not different between consumption individuals with HPS or LPS baseline concentrations. No changes in CRP were apparent subsequent to PS intervention.Conclusions:Baseline plasma PS concentrations respectively. are not associated or predictive of changes in serum cholesterol or plasma PS concentrations after PS intervention. Thus, individuals with related HPS show similar increases in PS concentrations as individuals with LPS following PS supplementation. Plasma PS remained in the range show of previously reported concentrations.European Journal of Clinical Nutrition advance online publication, 12 December 2007; doi:10.1038/sj.ejcn.1602969.

BACKGROUND Significant AND AIM: Very low carbohydrate ad libitum diets have been shown to enhance weight loss without increasing cardiometabolic risk factors (no but no kilojoule-controlled trials have been conducted relative to no intervention. The aim of this study was to compare the group. changes in weight and other cardiovascular risk factors in 3 isocaloric energy-restricted diets to no-intervention control after 1 year. METHODS months. AND RESULTS: One hundred and thirteen subjects (age 47+/-10 years, BMI 32+/-6kg/m(2) with one additional cardiovascular risk factor) were randomly BACKGROUND allocated to one of three isocaloric diets (VLC-very low carbohydrate, 60% fat, 4% carbohydrate, n=30; VLF-very low fat, 10% fat,loss n=30; HUF-high unsaturated fat, 30% fat, n=30) with intensive support for 3 months followed by minimal support for 12 months -3. +/- .2kg compared to a control group (no intervention, n=23). The estimated weight change was -3. +/- .2kg for VLC,-2. +/- .1kg for VLF,-3.7+/- .01kg with for HUF and .8+/- .5kg for controls (P= .065). After correcting for baseline values, decreases in body weight and diastolic blood pressure (VLC-very in the diet groups (-2.9+/-5.2) were significantly different to the increase in the control group ( .8+/-5. )(P< .05). No differences in HUF cardiovascular risk factors were observed between the diet groups. CONCLUSION: Significant cardiometabolic risk factor reduction was observed equally with VLC,in VLF and HUF diets after 15 months, compared to an exacerbation of risk factors in the control group. At a AIM: modest level of adherence, 3 months of intensive support on these dietary patterns confer an improvement in cardiometabolic profile compared for to no dietary intervention after 15 months.

BACKGROUND and Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) has been proposed as a clinical predictor of improvements in reproductive function following weight loss in overweight (23.5 and obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). This study aimed to assess whether baseline and/or change in AMH levels with with weight loss predict improvements in reproductive function in overweight and obese women with PCOS. METHODS Fifty-two overweight and obese ACTRN12606000198527. women with PCOS and reproductive impairment (age 29.8 +/- .8 years, BMI 36.5 +/- .7 kg/m(2)) followed a 20-week weight BACKGROUND loss programme. AMH, weight, menstrual cyclicity and ovulatory function were assessed at baseline and post-intervention. RESULTS Participants who responded with reproductive improvements in reproductive function (n = 26) had lower baseline AMH levels (23.5 +/- 3.7 versus 32.5 +/- 2.9 pmol/l;pmol/l; P = .03) and experienced greater weight loss (-11.7 +/- 1.2 versus -6.4 +/- .9 kg; P = .001) compared Participants with those who did not respond (n = 26). Logistic regression analysis showed that weight loss and baseline AMH were 20-week independently related to improvements in reproductive function (P = .002 and P = .013, respectively). AMH levels did not change weight with weight loss in both responders and non-responders. CONCLUSIONS In overweight and obese women with PCOS and reproductive dysfunction, a predict 20-week weight loss intervention resulted in improvements in reproductive function but no change in AMH levels. Clinical Trials Registration Number:hormone ACTRN12606000198527.

BACKGROUND P</= .05) AND AIMS: It is unclear whether high protein weight loss diets have beneficial effects on weight loss, abdominal fat mass,reduction lipids, glucose and insulin compared to conventional low fat diets in subjects at increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) because results of elevated glucose and triglyceride concentrations. Our objective was to determine the effects of high protein (HP) compared to standard individuals. protein (SP) diets on CVD risk in obese adults. METHODS AND RESULTS: Data from three, 12week, randomized parallel trials with AND subjects assigned to either HP or SP diet (5500-6500kJ/day) were pooled. Weight, body composition (dual energy X-ray absorptiometry), lipids, insulin abdominal and glucose were measured before and after weight loss. Data from 215 subjects (49.9+/-9.8years, BMI 33.5+/-3.7kg/m(2)), 108 HP, 107 SP SP were analyzed. Weight loss (HP diet 7.82+/- .37kg; SP diet 7.65+/- .39kg, NS) and total fat loss were not different (HP 6.8+/-4.3kg;SP LP 6.4+/-4.7kg, NS on intention to treat analysis). The reduction in triacylglycerol (TAG) was greater on HP than SP .48+/- .07mmol/L before vs .27+/- .06mmol/L,(P< .001). Subjects with TAG greater than the median (>1.54mmol/L at baseline) lost more weight (HP 8.5+/- .6; SP 6.9+/- .6kg,total P= .01, diet by TG group), total (HP 6.17+/- .50kg; SP 4.52+/- .52kg, P= .007) and abdominal fat (HP 1.92+/- .17kg; SP 1.23+/- .19kg, P= .005) on to HP. Total cholesterol (12 vs 6%, HP vs SP) and TAG (39 vs 20%, HP vs SP) decreased to a It greater extent in these subjects (both P</= .05) on HP. CONCLUSION: Short-term high protein weight loss diets had beneficial effects on at total cholesterol and triacylglycerol in overweight and obese subjects and achieved greater weight loss and better lipid results in subjects protein at increased risk of CVD. These observations provide further information regarding the utility of this dietary approach in effectively managing subjects body weight and composition and reducing CVD risk in overweight and obese individuals.

Aim:similar Effects of dietary weight loss on endothelial function, particularly when combined with exercise training, is largely unknown in type 2 dilatation diabetes. We sought to determine whether aerobic exercise training provided any additional improvements in endothelial function, oxidative stress or other that established markers of cardiovascular risk when combined with an energy-restricted diet in patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods: In a diabetes. parallel study design, 29 sedentary, overweight and obese patients with type 2 diabetes (age 52.4 +/- 1.4 years and BMI Effects 34.2 +/- .9 kg/m(2)) were randomized to a 12-week moderate energy-restricted diet ( approximately 5000 kJ/day and approximately 30% energy unknown deficit) with or without aerobic exercise training [diet only (D), n = 16 and diet plus exercise (DE), n =pre- 13]. Body weight, cardiovascular risk markers, malondialdehyde (MDA, oxidative stress marker), 24-h urinary nitrate/nitrite and flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) of the exercise brachial artery were measured pre- and postintervention. Results: Both interventions reduced body weight (D 8.9%, DE 8.5%, time effect p kJ/day < .001). Significant reductions in body fat, waist circumference, blood pressure, glycated haemoglobin, glucose, insulin resistance, lipids and MDA and = increases in urinary nitrite/nitrate were observed in both groups (time effect p </= .05); however, these changes were not different with between treatments. At baseline, FMD was similar in both groups (D 2.5 +/- .9%, DE 4.2 +/- 1.2%; p =of .25) and did not change after the interventions (p = .59). Conclusions: These results suggest that lifestyle interventions incorporating diet 8.5%, with or without exercise improve glycaemic control, reduce oxidative stress and improve other cardiovascular risk factors but do not improve 2 FMD in obese subjects with type 2 diabetes.

Leptin phenotypes stimulates fatty acid oxidation via the phosphorylation of AMPK (AMP-activated protein kinase) and ACC (acetyl-CoA carboxylase). Obesity is associated with from resistance to the effects of leptin. We determined the action of leptin on AMPKalpha and ACCbeta phosphorylation and lipid metabolism that in soleus (SOL) and extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscles from lean and obese Wistar rats after 1 and 100nM leptin.obesity. Both leptin doses stimulated phosphorylation of AMPKalpha and ACCbeta (P</= .05) only in EDL muscles from lean animals. Malonyl-CoA levels were Leptin decreased in EDL muscles from lean animals after 1 and 100nM leptin and significantly after 100nM leptin in obese animals AMPK (P</= .05). Long-chain fatty acyl-CoA concentrations were decreased in EDL muscles from both phenotypes after 100nM leptin. AMPK activation by leptin levels occurred independently of energy-related metabolites. These data demonstrate that the leptin effect on AMPKalpha and ACCbeta is muscle fibre type stimulated dependent and fails in diet-induced obesity.

In and order to determine whether milk proteins interact with cocoa polyphenols to modulate the uptake and concentration of polyphenols in plasma,Catechin 24 middle-aged men and women consumed 2 g of chocolate polyphenols, plus sugar and cocoa butter in 200 mL water,influence on 2 occasions. On 1 occasion, the chocolate mix contained 2.45 g of milk proteins. Blood samples were taken fasting significance. and at regular intervals for 8 h. Catechin and epicatechins levels were measured in these samples and no differences were In seen in average concentrations between the 2 treatments. Milk protein caused a slight increase in concentration at the early time with points and a decrease at the later time points. In conclusion, milk powder did not influence the average concentration of levels polyphenols. While it slightly accelerated absorption, this is of no physiological significance.

Body release. fat mass and nutrition influence secretion of the adrenocortical hormones - aldosterone and cortisol - via several mechanisms. However, there weight are no data on adrenocortical function following widely prescribed mild diet-induced weight loss (10%) in obese subjects. In the present There study, 25 healthy obese volunteers (BMI 32.9+/-4.3 kg/m (2)) followed a 30% calorie restricted diet over 12 weeks. Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA)function. axis function was assessed by 24-hour urine free cortisol/cortisone and a 1 mcg ACTH stimulation test with measurement of total fat and free cortisol and corticosteroid-binding globulin (CBG). The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) was assessed by measurement of plasma aldosterone and renin mechanisms. under salt depleted (30 mmol/d) and loading (250 mmol/d) conditions. Volunteers' weight fell by 8.5+/- .8 kg (8.9+/- .7%) and seated systolic p< .05). blood pressure fell by 8.7+/-2.7 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure by 7. +/-1.4 mmHg (p< .01). Plasma aldosterone and renin levels fell fell significantly with weight loss (aldosterone: 853+/-156-635+/-73 pmol/l; renin: 35.4+/-7-24+/-3 mU/l, both p< .05). The volunteers were relatively salt insensitive (mean under arterial pressure change with salt intake: 4 mmHg) and this was not affected by weight loss. Moderate weight loss had function, no effect on 24-hour urine free cortisol/cortisone, or on basal, or ACTH-stimulated free and total cortisol, or CBG. Hence this 12 conventional weight loss program reduces blood pressure and activity of the RAAS via an effect on renin release. Despite various and described influences of fat mass and energy restriction on HPA axis function, there were no changes in basal and stimulated salt HPA axis function with moderate weight loss. There may be a threshold effect of weight loss/energy restriction required to alter Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal HPA axis function, or moderate weight loss may lead to a counterbalanced effect of stimulatory and inhibitory influences on HPA be axis function.

BACKGROUND markedly AND AIMS: Data comparing the impact of different sources of plant sterols on CVD risk factors and antioxidant levels is cholesterol scarce. We evaluated the effects of plant sterols from rapeseed and tall oils on serum lipids, lipoproteins, fat-soluble vitamins and CONCLUSIONS: plant sterol concentrations. METHODS AND RESULTS: This was a double-blinded, randomized, crossover trial in which 59 hypercholesterolemic subjects consumed 25g/day concentrations. of margarine for 4weeks separated by 1week washout periods. The two experimental margarines provided 2g/day of plant sterols from rapeseed BACKGROUND or tall oil. The control margarine had no added plant sterols. The control margarine reduced LDL cholesterol by 4.5%(95%CVD CI 1.4, 7.6%). The tall and rapeseed sterol margarines additionally reduced LDL cholesterol by 9. %(95% CI 5.5, 12.4%) and and 8.2%(95% CI 5.2, 11.4%) and apolipoprotein B by 5.3%(95% CI 1. , 9.6%) and 6.9%(95% CI 3.6, 10.2%),cholesterol respectively. Lipid-adjusted beta-carotene concentrations were reduced by both sterol margarines (P< .017). alpha-Tocopherol concentrations were reduced by the tall sterol compared from to the rapeseed sterol margarine (P= .001). Campesterol concentrations increased more markedly with the rapeseed sterol versus tall sterol margarine (P< .001).rapeseed The rapeseed sterol margarine increased while the tall sterol margarine decreased brassicasterol concentrations (P< .001). CONCLUSIONS: Plant sterols from tall and METHODS rapeseed oils reduce atherogenic lipids and lipoproteins similarly. The rapeseed sterol margarine may have more favorable effects on serum alpha-tocopherol AIMS: concentrations.

Studies beta-carotene in our laboratory have previously demonstrated in hamsters a superior cholesterol-lowering ability of plant sterol (PS) esters enriched in stearate concentrations compared with linoleate. We therefore conducted a randomized, double-blind, 2-group parallel, placebo-controlled study to test the cholesterol-lowering properties of stearate-enriched cholesterol PS esters in normo- and hypercholesterolemic adults. Thirty-two adults, 16 per group with equal number of males and females in study. each group, participated in the 4-wk study. Participants consumed 3 g/d (1 g three times per day with meals) of Studies either PS esters or placebo delivered in capsules. Serum LDL cholesterol concentration significantly decreased .42 mmol/L (11%) and the LDL:HDL plant cholesterol ratio decreased 10% with PS ester supplementation, whereas LDL particle size and lipoprotein subclass particle concentrations (as measured by affected. NMR) were not affected. The percent change in LDL cholesterol was positively correlated with baseline lathosterol concentration (r = .729;LDL:HDL P = .0014), indicating an association between the magnitude of LDL change and the rate of whole-body cholesterol synthesis. Serum PS campesterol (but not sitosterol) concentration significantly increased in the PS ester group. Serum tocopherol, retinol, and beta-carotene concentrations were not findings affected by PS ester supplementation. Thus, our findings demonstrate the usefulness of a novel stearate-enriched PS ester compound in decreasing hypercholesterolemic LDL cholesterol in both normo- and hypercholesterolemic adults. The extent to which PS ester fatty acid composition affects intestinal micelle our formation and cholesterol absorption in humans requires further study.

Phytosterols supplemented are isoprene compounds that may be found in a great variety of different food products. The most important phytosterol compounds legislation are beta-sitosterol, campesterol and stigmasterol. Plant sources of phytosterols are oily seeds, nuts, plant oils, grains, and pulses. Many controlled Community clinical studies have demonstrated their ability to reduce blood cholesterol levels in hyper- and normo-cholesterolaemic subjects. Investigators report that phytosterol heart intakes of 2 to 3 g/d reduce low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels by about 7-11% in human subjects, while LDL are and TG levels do not change. Phytosterol intake higher than 3 g daily does not result in higher decrease of campesterol LDL level, but about consumption of 8.6 g per day does not have any detrimental effect on human health. A food documented side effect of elevated phytosterol intake is the reduced level of certain carotenoids in sera but this effect can to be balanced by increased consumption of fruits and vegetables rich in carotenoids. Subjects having hereditary sitosterolemia are highly advised to reduced refrain from consuming foods supplemented with phytosterols. While dietary intake of phytosterols is too low to achieve significant reduce of supplemented cholesterol level, based on the Community legislation of 258/97/EC regulation related to novel foods and novel food ingredients, the European by Union authorized to use phytosterols in certain food products at a concentration which resulted in a daily phytosterol intake less compounds than 3 g. A European survey of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) shows that only 10-15% of the population resulted consume foods supplemented with phytosterols, and phytosterol intake is less than the effective dose. Based on this survey it is in supposed that the risk of phytosterols overdose is low. EFSA also stated that--based on the relevant scientific information--regular intake of nutritional foods supplemented with phytosterols/phytostanols is in significant correlation with reduced serum cholesterol level. Based on this statement, authorized foods supplemented products. with phytosterols will be the first food group legally having health claim for reduced risk of disease since the new be Community legislation on nutritional and health claim on foods 1924/2006/EC exists. Consumers will have a scientifically substantiated health claim on overdose the label of these foods:"Plant sterols/stanols have been shown to lower/reduce blood cholesterol. Blood cholesterol lowering may reduce the claim risk of coronary heart disease."

OBJECTIVE:and To study the relations between anthropometric parameters [body mass index (BMI), percent of body fat, waist circumference] and blood lipids while of urban children in Beijing and to compare the ability of prediction effect of waist circumference, percent body fat and aggravation BMI on lipid profiles. METHODS: 852 children aged 9-10 were recruited with multi-stage sampling. Serum lipids of children were measured PBF. using automatic biochemical instrument. Fisher's exact test, trend test and median regression were used to analyze the data from 847 OBJECTIVE: subjects with valid information. RESULTS:(1)With the rise of the BMI, percent body fat and waist circumference, total triglycerides (TG),body total cholesterol (TC) and low density lipoprotein choleasterol (LDL-C) showed increasing trends while high density lipoprotein choleasterol (HDL-C) had a a decreasing trend(P < .01).(2)TG was mainly influenced by waist circumference (t = 6.86), sex (t = 3.96) and percent circumference, of body fat (t = 1.85); TC was influenced by percent of body fat (t = 5.31); LDL-C was influenced from by waist circumference (t = 4.65), height (t =-2.79) and percent age of body fat (t = 2.77); HDL-C influenced was influenced by waist circumference (t =-12.24), sex (1=-5.83). CONCLUSION: With the aggravation of children's fatness (BMI, WC profiles. and PBF), serum lipids would increase and WC seemed to be the best predictor for lipids among BMI, WC and study PBF.

In were a placebo-controlled double-blind study, we examined the effects of dressing containing plant sterol (PS) on blood lipids and the safety significantly in Japanese borderline or mildly hypercholesterolemic subjects. Fifty-nine subjects [total cholesterol (TC) concentration >/= 200 mg/dL] were randomly divided into It two groups and were given daily 15 g of dressing containing 800 mg of PS [PS(+)-group] or without PS [PS(-)-group]Japanese. for 12 weeks. Every 4 weeks, fasting blood was examined and subjective symptoms were analyzed. Serum TC, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol In (LDL-C) and apolipoprotein B (ApoB) concentrations did not change in the PS(-)-group, while TC and ApoB significantly decreased in the plant PS(+)-group at 8 and 12 weeks and LDL-C at 4, 8 and 12 weeks. Moreover, serum TC, LDL-C and ApoB at concentrations were significantly lower than those of PS(-)-group at 8 and 12 weeks. Other laboratory tests were all in normal apolipoprotein ranges and no adverse events were observed. The results indicated that PS-containing dressing decreased serum TC, LDL-C and ApoB concentrations fasting in borderline or mildly hypercholesterolemic subjects. It is therefore proved that the dressing containing PS is helpful in maintaining blood serum cholesterol level normal and hence, the health of Japanese.

We sterol examined the minimal effective dose on serum cholesterol concentration and the safety of dressing containing plant sterol in humans. Exp.1:sterol, Sixty-eight healthy Japanese males (total cholesterol (TC)>/= 170 mg/dL) were randomly divided into four groups, and were given ,plant 400, 800 or 1200 mg/day of plant sterol in 15 g dressing for 4 weeks followed by the washout period safe. of 4 weeks. Although there were no significant differences in serum TC and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) concentrations among all We groups after feeding plant sterol for 4 weeks, in 36 subjects with TC >/= 220 mg/dL, serum LDL-C concentration tended dressing to reduce when received 800 or 1200 mg of plant sterol, and the difference between and 1200 mg groups and was statistically significant. The difference between and 800 mg groups was near significant (p= .053). Intake of 400 mg of 220 plant sterol did not change serum LDL-C concentration. Exp.2: Twenty-one healthy Japanese subjects (TC >/= 180 mg/dL, 10 men, 11 (LDL-C) women) were given 2400 mg/day of plant sterol in 45 g dressing for 4 weeks. Clinical data were all remained were normal. These results indicated that minimal effective dose of the plant sterol on serum cholesterol concentration in healthy male subjects or is around 800 mg/day, and intake of 2400 mg/day of plant sterol is regarded to be safe.

Background/Objectives:Plant No sterol (PS) consumption lowers serum cholesterol levels, while modestly increasing plasma PS concentrations. Plasma PS concentrations may reflect sterol absorption,from thus individuals with high plasma plant sterol (HPS) concentrations may show greater changes in circulating cholesterol and PS than individuals with with low plasma plant sterol (LPS) concentrations. The objective of this study was to examine whether HPS and LPS concentrations doi:10.1038/sj.ejcn.1602969. are related to subsequent changes in plasma PS, serum lipid and C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations, following dietary PS intake in sterol otherwise healthy hypercholesterolemic men.Subjects/Methods:This single-blinded, randomized, diet-controlled study consisted of two 4-week phases, separated by a 4-week washout, where a sterol diet with a placebo or the 2. g per day PS-enriched spread was consumed during the phases.Results:At baseline, men with to HPS possessed higher (P< .01) mean serum cholesterol concentration, while those with LPS had higher (P< .05) body mass index. Following PS while intake, plasma sum of campesterol plus sitosterol concentrations were elevated from 34.6+/-4.2 to 46.2+/-3.3 mumol l(-1)(mean+/-SE) and 16.5+/- .9 to or 20.8+/-1.2 mumol l(-1) after PS intake in men with HPS and LPS, respectively. Changes in plasma PS concentrations, however, were not not different between individuals with either HPS or LPS baseline concentrations. Total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were decreased LPS (P< .0001) by 6.3 and 7.8%, respectively, with PS consumption for all individuals. Changes in lipid parameters were not different between consumption individuals with HPS or LPS baseline concentrations. No changes in CRP were apparent subsequent to PS intervention.Conclusions:Baseline plasma PS concentrations respectively. are not associated or predictive of changes in serum cholesterol or plasma PS concentrations after PS intervention. Thus, individuals with related HPS show similar increases in PS concentrations as individuals with LPS following PS supplementation. Plasma PS remained in the range show of previously reported concentrations.European Journal of Clinical Nutrition advance online publication, 12 December 2007; doi:10.1038/sj.ejcn.1602969.

BACKGROUND significant AND AIMS: Dietary therapy using phytosterols can reinforce statin treatment; however the value of a low-dose combination of those agents observed remains to be investigated. Plant sterols (PS), dissolved in diacylglycerol (DAG) oil,(PS/DAG) can be effective at a relatively low low-dose dose. The objective of the present study was to examine the effect of PS/DAG oil on blood cholesterol concentrations in pravastatin. hypercholesterolemic outpatients on low-dose pravastatin (10mg/day). METHODS AND RESULTS: The patients (n=61) were randomly assigned to one of three groups,BACKGROUND who consumed TAG (control), DAG or PS/DAG oil. The average intake of PS from the PS/DAG oil during the test a period was significantly higher than that for TAG and DAG oils (502 vs. 49 and 38mg/day, P< .05). Significant cholesterol-lowering effects oil from the baseline were observed in the case of the PS/DAG oil treatment alone. Changes in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol for were inversely correlated with baseline serum campesterol concentrations (r=- .560, P< .05), but not baseline LDL cholesterol concentrations. In addition, serum apolipoprotein PS/DAG B concentrations were reduced to a greater extent in subjects with high versus low levels of baseline campesterol (-13.2mg/dL vs.was -3.1mg/dL, P< .05). Furthermore, there was a mild, but significant reduction in serum lipoprotein (a) concentration from the baseline (-5.9mg/dL), which to was correlated with the reduction in serum apolipoprotein B concentration (r= .596, P< .05). CONCLUSION: A low-dose combination of PS/DAG oil and AIMS: pravastatin may be a useful strategy for further ameliorating blood cholesterol and lipoprotein (a) concentrations for hypercholesterolemic patients with a correlated low response to pravastatin.

Objective:To withdrawal, test the dose-response effect on low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) of plant sterols (PS) from different sources in a low-fat spread.Methods:Dose -7.3 responses of soybean oil (BO), tall oil (TO) and a mix of tall oil and rapeseed oil (TO/RP) as fatty decrease acid esters were tested in a parallel design in free-living subjects recruited from the general community who had elevated cholesterol doi:10.1038/sj.ejcn.1602814. concentrations. Subjects received either control for 6 weeks or 1.6 g PS per day for 3 weeks, then 3. g/day Objective:To for 3 weeks.Results:LDL-c was lowered significantly by consumption of 1.6 g/day of PS (-10.4%, range -7.3 to -11.4%). Increasing the sterols dose to 3. g/day modestly reduced LDL-c concentrations further to -14.7%. TO, containing 78% sitosterol, produced an increase in serum dose sitosterol of 6.5 nmol/ml, while BO, containing only 27% campesterol, produced an increase in serum campesterol of 9.5 nmol/ml in 3 6 weeks. After PS withdrawal, serum sterols declined by 50% within 2 weeks.Conclusion:Different PS sources were equally effective in lowering 6 serum LDL-c concentrations. The decrease in absolute concentrations of LDL-c was dependent on the baseline concentrations.European Journal of Clinical Nutrition PS advance online publication, 30 May 2007; doi:10.1038/sj.ejcn.1602814.

Objective:The monocyte present study was designed to examine for the first time, side-by-side, the effects of plant sterol and stanol consumption on end 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,dysfunction 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 doi:10.1038/sj.ejcn.1602733. statistical analysis.Intervention:Subjects consumed margarine with no added plant sterols or stanols for 4 weeks and were then divided into three Objective:The groups of 15 subjects. For the next 16 weeks, one group continued with the control margarine and the other two of groups with either a plant sterol- or stanol (2.5 g/day)-enriched margarine. Blood was sampled at the end of the run-in periods.Results:Plant and intervention periods.Results:Plant sterol and stanol consumption significantly (P= .026) reduced low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol by .34 mmol/l (95% confidence interval two (CI),- .67 to - .04 mmol/l). No effects were shown on enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants and markers of oxidative modification of groups lipids and DNA. In addition, no effect was found on soluble adhesion molecules, C-reactive protein and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 concentrations.Conclusions:We sterol conclude that 16 weeks of plant sterol or stanol consumption did not affect markers of antioxidant status, oxidative stress, endothelial current dysfunction and low-grade inflammation in patients on stable statin treatment, despite a significant reduction of LDL cholesterol.European Journal of Clinical study Nutrition advance online publication, 9 May 2007; doi:10.1038/sj.ejcn.1602733.