Premium
Effect of sugar cane policosanols on cholesterol metabolism and LDL oxidation in hypercholesterolemic individuals
Author(s) -
Kassis Amira Nemr,
Kubow Stan,
Jones Peter
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.22.2_supplement.740
Subject(s) - cholesterol , chemistry , crossover study , placebo , lipid oxidation , ldl cholesterol , sugar , metabolism , absorption (acoustics) , medicine , food science , endocrinology , biochemistry , antioxidant , physics , alternative medicine , pathology , acoustics
Sugar cane policosanols (SCP) purportedly exert cholesterol‐modulating properties including reductions in LDL oxidation and cholesterol synthesis, as shown by a Cuban research group. However, independent research examining LDL oxidation and cholesterol synthesis is limited to very few studies contradicting outcomes of original research. Moreover, no data are available on the effect of SCP on cholesterol absorption to date. Therefore, objectives of the present study were to examine the effect of Cuban SCP on LDL oxidation, and to determine the changes in cholesterol kinetics in hypercholesterolemic individuals. Twenty‐one subjects participated in a randomized double blind crossover where they consumed 10 mg/day of policosanols or placebo incorporated in margarine during 28 days. Cholesterol absorption and synthesis were measured using 13 C labelled cholesterol and deuterium water respectively, administered the last week of each phase. Plasma LDL oxidation was measured using a solid phase two site enzyme immunoassay. Results show no difference in endpoint oxidized LDL concentrations between SCP and placebo treatments. Similarly, absorption and synthesis rates did not differ between groups. Our results demonstrate that SCP fail to alter LDL oxidation status and cholesterol metabolism.