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Published on: November 17, 2018
Phytosterol glycosides reduce cholesterol absorption in humans
Xiaobo Lin1, Lina Ma, Susan B Racette
1Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Lipid Research, Department of Medicine, Program in Physical Therapy, Center for Applied Research Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Ave., Campus box 8127, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA.
American Journal of Physiology. Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology
|February 28, 2009
Summary
Dietary phytosterol glycosides effectively reduce cholesterol absorption in humans, similar to phytosterol esters. These findings highlight the biological activity of phytosterol glycosides and their importance in nutritional analysis.
Area of Science:
- Nutritional Biochemistry
- Human Metabolism
- Food Science
Background:
- Dietary phytosterols are known to inhibit cholesterol absorption and regulate cholesterol balance.
- Phytosterols exist in various forms, including glycosylated compounds (phytosterol glycosides), whose biological activity is not fully understood.
- Understanding the impact of different phytosterol forms on cholesterol metabolism is crucial for accurate dietary recommendations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of phytosterol glycosides on cholesterol absorption in humans.
- To compare the efficacy of phytosterol glycosides with phytosterol esters in reducing cholesterol absorption.
- To determine if naturally occurring phytosterol glycosides are bioactive in human subjects.
Main Methods:
- Phytosterol glycosides were extracted and purified from soy lecithin using a novel two-step process.
- A randomized crossover study involving 11 healthy subjects was conducted, with three single-meal tests spaced two weeks apart.
- Participants consumed a test breakfast containing cholesterol-d7 (30 mg) along with either phytosterol glycosides (~300 mg), phytosterol esters (~300 mg), or a placebo.
Main Results:
- Phytosterol glycosides significantly reduced cholesterol absorption by 37.6% (P<0.0001) compared to the placebo.
- Phytosterol esters also demonstrated a significant reduction in cholesterol absorption by 30.6% (P=0.0001) compared to the placebo.
- Cholesterol absorption was quantified by measuring plasma cholesterol-d7 enrichment using mass spectrometry 4-5 days post-ingestion.
Conclusions:
- Naturally occurring phytosterol glycosides purified from soy lecithin are bioactive and effectively reduce cholesterol absorption in humans.
- Phytosterol glycosides demonstrate comparable efficacy to phytosterol esters in inhibiting cholesterol absorption.
- These findings underscore the need to include phytosterol glycosides in phytosterol analysis methods and food composition databases.
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