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Dietary sitosterol, stigmasterol, and stigmastanol stearate esters elicit similar responses on hepatic and plasma lipids and cholesterol absorption in Syrian hamsters
Author(s) -
Ash Mark M,
Hang Jiliang,
Dussault Patrick H,
Carr Timothy P
Publication year - 2010
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.24.1_supplement.541.12
Subject(s) - stigmasterol , campesterol , cholesterol , sterol , chemistry , medicine , triglyceride , endocrinology , stearate , phospholipid , biology , biochemistry , chromatography , organic chemistry , membrane
Plant sterol/stanol esters (PSE) have been shown to decrease the atherosclerotic risk factor LDL cholesterol (LDL‐C). However, the significance of the individual sterol species has not been studied. To investigate the sterol contribution, stigmasterol (Sg), sitosterol (Si), and stigmastanol (Sn) stearate esters were synthesized and administered to male Syrian hamsters fed an atherosclerotic diet (high cholesterol, high saturated fat); an atherosclerotic diet without PSEs served as the control (Cn). There were no significant differences in the plasma HDL or non‐HDL cholesterol concentrations. Cholesterol absorption was equivalent among the diets: Cn 61.6±10.4%, Sn 59.9±8.8%, Sg 63.0±6.6%, and Si 66.2±10.3%. Liver esterified cholesterol, triglyceride, and phospholipid concentrations were similar. The sitosterol and stigmastanol diets significantly reduced the free cholesterol concentration in the liver in comparison to the control and stigmasterol: Cn 4.7±0.3 and Sg 4.5±0.2 vs. Sn 4.2±0.3 and Si 4.2±0.3 μmol/g of liver (P<0.05). Our findings indicate only minor unique cholesterol‐lowering properties of the individual sterol species studied. Grant Funding Source : USDA‐NRI competitive grant no. 2007‐35200‐18298