[Phytosterols and atherosclerosis]

Phytosterols/stanols (PS) enriched food products have been shown to consistently lower plasma cholesterol levels. The intake of 2g/d of PS decreases LDL-cholesterol by about 10%. With respect to the association of LDL-cholesterol lowering with reduction in the cardiovascular (CV) risk, it is likely that supplementation in PS reduces the incidence of CV disease. In addition, the vast majority of animal studies have shown that oral administration of PS reduces the progression atherosclerosis. However, it has been recently suggested that an increase in PS plasma concentrations may increase CV risk. Evidence to support this hypothesis come mainly from observations in sitosterolemic patients who hyperabsorb PS and cholesterol and display very high levels of PS, which may be associated with a premature atherosclerosis. Some epidemiological studies in non-sitosterolemic subjects have shown a positive correlation between PS plasma levels and coronary heart disease. However, these are observational studies and some of them present major methodological bias. In addition, recent studies with a larger number of subjects have indicated, either an absence or a negative relationship between PS and the incidence of CV disease. The guidelines of several French and international institutions recommend the use of PS enriched food in association with other classical recommendations in hypercholesterolemic subjects. However, further studies are highly encouraged to examine the CV benefit of PS enriched food.