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Do clinical and experimental investigations support an antiatherogenic role for dietary phytosterols/stanols?
Author(s) -
Lottenberg Ana Maria,
Bombo Renata P.A.,
Ilha Angela,
Nunes Valeria Sutti,
Nakandakare Edna R.,
Quintão Eder C.R.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
iubmb life
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.132
H-Index - 113
eISSN - 1521-6551
pISSN - 1521-6543
DOI - 10.1002/iub.1006
Subject(s) - cholesterol , inflammation , coronary heart disease , medicine , efflux , clinical significance , endocrinology , chemistry , biochemistry
The plasma cholesterol‐reducing effect of phytosterols (PS) has been recognized in several studies, but the usefulness of PS in preventing coronary heart disease remains controversial, as some investigations claim that the high PS concentrations found in plasma and specific tissues are related to an increased risk of cardiovascular events. It has also been demonstrated that PS may induce inflammation and reduce cholesterol efflux from macrophages, conditions that are directly implicated in the development of atherosclerosis. As to arterial dysfunction and atherosclerosis, some studies have concluded that plasma PS concentrations are unrelated or only weakly related or that PS intake or plasma PS concentrations are harmful. Thus, in light of the National Cholesterol Education Program‐ATPIII report, it is necessary to evaluate the relevance of their findings. To this end, we have evaluated the studies conducted on cells, animal models, and humans regarding the influence of PS on the development of atherosclerosis. © 2012 IUBMB Life, 64(4): 296–306, 2012