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At least 577 records · Page 32Linked to original sources

PubMed1995

Reconstruction of the base of the tongue with the microvascular ulnar forearm flap: a functional assessment.

Ten patients with infiltrating carcinomas of the base of the tongue/tonsillar region underwent 30 to 100 percent resection of the base of the tongue and lateral pharyngeal wall. The surgical defect was reconstructed (9 primary, 1 secondary) with a large microvascular ulnar forearm flap that was selectively contoured to provide bulk for the base of the tongue and a thin lining for the pharyngeal wall. Seven patients were evaluated for swallowing and speech 6 weeks to 2 years following the reconstruction. Cineradiographic studies showed excellent base of the tongue and flap mobility allowing glossopharyngeal closure in all patients and complete pharyngeal evacuation in four patients. Four patients who were in good health preoperatively were able to eat a regular diet postoperatively, and the remaining three patients were able to handle soft food. Functional recovery after major tongue base surgery is contingent upon a three-dimensional microvascular reconstruction using a thin forearm flap.

Aged↗

PubMed2005

Assessment of the diet of 0- to 6-year-old children in municipal schools in a Brazilian city.

Diet control is one of the important factors in the prevention of dental caries because food functions as substratum for fermentation and, consequently, for the formation of the organic acids that demineralize the tooth surface. This study aims to descriptively assess school diet and the associated caries-preventive methods applied to children in all municipal nursery schools of a Brazilian city (Aragatuba/SP). For this, a questionnaire with open and closed questions was used. The results showed that all schools serve school meal, which is composed mainly of sugar, carbohydrates, and proteins. The students enjoy the meal very much because for most of them, the meal served at school is the only source of food. It was observed that 90% of the schools offer other kinds of food besides the main school meal. The snacks served such as cakes, white hominy, and milk fudge are composed of sweet and highly cariogenic foods. It was also verified that in 13.30% of the schools, the daily supervised dental hygiene, an important procedure that should not be neglected, is not carried out. This procedure introduces the children to healthy habits that are added to those acquired in the family environment. It was concluded that the school diet is potentially cariogenic and, in association with the lack of daily dental hygiene, this potential may become even higher.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

Whole genome sequencing analysis and functional characterization of Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus HP-B1083.

Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus is an important strain for the biotransformation of natural products, and its crude extract exhibits biotransformation effect on glycosidic compounds such as baicalin. To further explore the potential of this strain, particularly given its previously demonstrated high-efficiency β-glucuronidase activity for baicalin conversion, whole-genome sequencing and functional annotation of Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus HP-B1083 were performed in this study, and its acid tolerance, bile salt tolerance, short-term heat resistance and antibacterial activity were evaluated. The results showed that the strain possessed a circular chromosome with a full length of 3,090,505 bp and a GC content of 46.69%. Gene annotation revealed that the genome contained 2941 coding sequences (CDS) and 112 non-coding RNA genes, including 60 tRNA genes, 1 tmRNA gene, 36 misc_RNA genes and 15 rRNA genes. The functional annotations further reveal that this genome is rich in genes related to carbohydrate metabolism, hydrolases, and transferases, which is highly consistent with its phenotypic characteristics in glycoside transformation and the synthesis of antibacterial substances. In addition, acid tolerance, bile salt tolerance and short-term heat resistance experiments verified that HP-B1083 had acid resistance, bile salt resistance and short-term heat resistance. Antibacterial activity tests confirmed that HP-B1083 produced inhibition zone diameters over 10 mm against common foodborne pathogenic bacteria such as Escherichia coli and Bacillus cereus. Therefore, Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus HP-B1083 has important application prospects in the development of functional foods, preparation of enzyme preparations and pharmaceutical industry.

Whole Genome Sequencing↗

PubMed2004

The in vitro hydrolysis of phytosterol conjugates in food matrices by mammalian digestive enzymes.

All fruits, vegetables, and grains contain phytosterols. Numerous clinical studies have documented that phytosterols lower LDL-cholesterol levels and thereby reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Most experts believe that the cholesterol-lowering mechanism of phytosterols requires that they be in their "free" form. In addition to their occurrence in the free form, phytosterols also occur as four common phytosterol conjugates: (i) fatty acyl esters, (ii) hydroxycinnamate esters, (iii) steryl glycosides, and (iv) fatty acylated steryl glycosides. This study was undertaken to investigate the extent of hydrolysis of four common phytosterol conjugates by mammalian digestive enzymes (cholesterol esterase and pancreatin, a mixture of pancreatic enzymes) and for comparison purposes, by KOH. Two types of purified hydroxycinnamate esters (sitostanyl ferulate and oryzanol, a mixture of hydroxycinnamate esters purified from rice bran oil) were hydrolyzed by cholesterol esterase and by pancreatin. Both cholesterol esterase and pancreatin hydrolyzed the phytosteryl esters in two functional food matrices, and they hydrolyzed the hydroxycinnamate esters in corn fiber oil. This is the first report to demonstrate that phytostanyl ferulate esters (which are present at levels of 3-6% in corn fiber oil) are hydrolyzed by pancreatic cholesterol esterase. It is also the first report that pancreatin contains enzymes that hydrolyze the fatty acyl moiety of fatty acylated steryl glycoside, converting it to steryl glycoside. Pancreatin had no effect on steryl glycosides. The ability of pancreatin to hydrolyze three other types of lipid conjugates was also evaluated. Phospholipids were completely hydrolyzed. About half of the galactolipids were hydrolyzed, and less than 10% of the polyamine conjugates were hydrolyzed. The extents of hydrolysis of phytosteryl esters by base (saponification) were also studied, and conditions commonly used for the saponification of acyl lipids (1.5 N methanolic KOH, 30 min at 70 degrees C), were found to result in a nearly 100% hydrolysis of TAG but only about 35-45% hydrolysis of the phytosteryl fatty acyl esters or phytosteryl hydroxycinnamate esters.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Cocaine-amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART) acts in the central nervous system to inhibit gastric acid secretion via brain corticotropin-releasing factor system.

Recent study has indicated that cocaine-amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART) is an anorectic chemical in the brain. In the present study, we examined the hypothesis that CART may act in the central nervous system to alter gastric function. Food consumption, gastric acid secretion, and gastric emptying were measured after injection of CART into the cerebrospinal fluid in 24-h fasted Sprague Dawley rats. Central injection of CART inhibited food intake, gastric acid secretion, and gastric emptying. In contrast, ip injection of CART failed to inhibit gastric acid secretion and gastric emptying, suggesting that CART acts in the brain to suppress gastric acid secretion and gastric emptying. In the vagotomized animals, centrally administered CART did inhibit pentagastrin-stimulated gastric acid secretion. The CART-induced acid inhibition was also observed in rats treated with indomethacin, a cyclooxygenase inhibitor. In contrast, pretreatment with central administration of a CRF receptor antagonist, alpha-helical CRF9-41, completely blocked the central CART-induced inhibition of gastric acid secretion. All these results suggest that CART acts in the brain to inhibit gastric function via brain CRF system. The vagal pathway and the prostaglandin system are not involved in the acid inhibition.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

[The efficacy of continuous hepatic arterial infusion therapy in association with multidisciplinary treatment of two late stage cancer patients].

With continuous hepatic artery infusion (HAI), 2 cases including multiple hepatic lesions became lesion free, meaning a complete response (CR) to this treatment. Besides chemotherapy, we controlled the diet with a healthy food guidance plan containing low salt & fat, and a lot of juice. The 1st case is a 63-year-old female, suffered from simultaneous multisided metastatic liver tumor from advanced rectal cancer. Four months after the low anterior resection of the rectum, we recommended the diet 2 months later. The patient was treated by a 24-hour continuous HAI and the metastatic lesion disappeared (CR) within 8 weeks. The 2nd case is a 58-year-old male with hepatocellular carcinoma, suffered from 4 recurrent tumors in the retained liver. After 11 treatments of HAI, the tumors disappeared completely, and he has survived for 11.5 years. We believe it was due to the immunoactivation of functional foods such as unmilled-grain, fresh vegetables and fruits, seaweeds, honey, and mushrooms with the restriction of animal fat and meat intake. Dietary guidance in metabolic-nourishment therapy is very useful in the treatment of far advanced cancer patients.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular↗

PubMed2006

Effects of resistant starch, a non-digestible fermentable fiber, on reducing body fat.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effects of energy dilution with non-fermentable and fermentable fibers on abdominal fat and gut peptide YY (PYY) and glucagon-like peptide (GLP)-1 expressions, three rat studies were conducted to: determine the effects of energy dilution with a non-fermentable fiber, compare similar fiber levels of fermentable and non-fermentable fibers, and compare similar metabolizable energy dilutions with fermentable and non-fermentable fibers. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: In Study 1, rats were fed one of three diets with different metabolizable energy densities. In Study 2, rats were fed diets with similar fiber levels using high amylose-resistant cornstarch (RS) or methylcellulose. In Study 3, rats were fed diets with a similar dilution of metabolizable energy using cellulose or RS. Measurements included food intake, body weight, abdominal fat, plasma PYY and GLP-1, gastrointestinal tract weights, and gene transcription of PYY and proglucagon. RESULTS: Energy dilution resulted in decreased abdominal fat in all studies. In Study 2, rats fed fermentable RS had increased cecal weights and plasma PYY and GLP-1, and increased gene transcription of PYY and proglucagon. In Study 3, RS-fed rats had increased short-chain fatty acids in cecal contents, plasma PYY (GLP-1 not measured), and gene transcription for PYY and proglucagon. DISCUSSION: Inclusion of RS in the diet may affect energy balance through its effect as a fiber or a stimulator of PYY and GLP-1 expression. Increasing gut hormone signaling with a bioactive functional food such as RS may be an effective natural approach to the treatment of obesity.

Adipose Tissue↗

PubMed2006

Anti-hyperglycemic activity of natural and fermented Cordyceps sinensis in rats with diabetes induced by nicotinamide and streptozotocin.

Our previous study demonstrated that the fruiting bodies of Cordyceps sinensis, a traditional Chinese medicine, attenuated diabetes-induced weight loss, polydipsia, and hyperglycemia in rats. In the present study, we further compared the anti-hyperglycemic activity of the fermented mycelia and broth of Cordyceps sinensis with that of the fruiting bodies. Male Wistar rats orally administered a placebo (STZ group), fruiting bodies (FB group, 1 g/day), fermented mycelia (MCS group, 1 g/day), fermented broth (BCS group, 1 g/day), or fermented mycelia plus broth (XCS group, 0.5 g/day of each) of Cordyceps sinensis (d1 to d28) were injected with nicotinamide (200 mg/kg) and streptozotocin (65 mg/kg) on d15. Rats fed with a placebo and injected with saline served as the control (CON) group. The amount of water and food consumption (d15 to d29), the 2-hour-postprandial blood glucose concentrations (d21 and d28), and the serum concentrations of fructosamine (d29) were significantly lower in the FB, MCS, BCS, and XCS groups than in the STZ group (one-way ANOVA, p < 0.05). The diabetic rats had significantly higher blood glucose concentrations as measured by the oral glucose tolerance test than the control rats; moreover, these changes were significantly reduced by ingesting the fruiting bodies, fermented mycelia and/or broth of Cordyceps sinensis. Our results revealed that the fermented mycelia and broth of Cordyceps sinensis have anti-hyperglycemic activities similar to those of the fruiting bodies. Therefore, the fermented products of Cordyceps sinensis could be developed as potential anti-diabetic agents or functional foods for persons with a high risk of diabetes mellitus.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Effects on the human serum lipoprotein profile of beta-glucan, soy protein and isoflavones, plant sterols and stanols, garlic and tocotrienols.

The effects of beta-glucan, soy protein, isoflavones, plant sterols and stanols, garlic and tocotrienols on serum lipoproteins have been of great interest the last decade. From a critical review of the literature, it appeared that recent studies found positive as well as no effects of beta-glucan from oats on serum LDL cholesterol concentrations. These conflicting results may suggest that the cholesterol-lowering activity of products rich in oat beta-glucan depends on factors, such as its viscosity in the gastrointestinal tract, the food matrix and/or food processing. The effects of beta-glucan from barley or yeast on the lipoprotein profile are promising, but more human trials are needed to further substantiate these effects. It is still not clear whether the claimed hypocholesterolemic effects of soy can be attributed solely to the isoflavones. Several studies found no changes in serum LDL cholesterol concentrations after consumption of isolated soy isoflavones (without soy protein), indicating that a combination of soy protein and isoflavones may be needed for eliciting a cholesterol-lowering effect of soy. Therefore, the exact (combination of) active ingredients in soy products need to be identified. The daily consumption of 2-3 g of plant sterols or stanols reduces LDL cholesterol concentrations by 9-14%. It has been demonstrated that functional foods enriched with plant sterols and stanols are effective in various population groups, and in combination with cholesterol-lowering diets or drugs. Whether garlic or garlic preparations can be used as a lipid-lowering agent is still uncertain. It is important to characterize the active components in garlic and their bioavailability after ingestion. It is not very likely that tocotrienols from palm oil or rice bran oil have favorable effects on the human serum lipoprotein profile.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Prebiotics: preferential substrates for specific germs?

A prebiotic is "a non-digestible food ingredient that beneficially affects the host by selectively stimulating the growth and/or the activity of one or a limited number of bacteria in the colon." The premise is based on the hypothesis that the large gut in humans contains bacteria that are beneficial or detrimental to health. Although this generalization probably gives too simplistic a view of gut microbiology, it is a feasible working concept. Currently, food components that seem to exert the best prebiotic effects are inulin-type fructans. In pure culture, most species of bifidobacteria are adapted to the utilization of these nondigestible oligosaccharides but many other bacteria are also capable of metabolizing them. Clearly, these studies of pure bacteria are of limited use unless their results are supported by the results of studies using mixed cultures. Indeed, as many components of the gut microbiota as possible should be measured to indicate a true prebiotic effect. Simple stimulation of bifidobacteria is insufficient to demonstrate an effect; the effects on other gut microorganisms in vivo with human volunteers is necessary. Adjustment of the composition and activities of the colonic microflora so that health-promoting activities are optimized remains key in functional food development. New methods are being applied extensively to human gut microbiology and promise the degree of reliability required to detect subtle changes in colonic microflora composition and to correlate such changes with health benefits. This is a review of the present state of knowledge concerning prebiotics, with emphasis on the criteria used for classification, mechanisms of selective growth stimulation, and physiologic effects.

Bifidobacterium↗

PubMed2006

Effects of tomato extract on platelet function: a double-blinded crossover study in healthy humans.

BACKGROUND: Aqueous extracts from tomatoes display a range of antiplatelet activities in vitro. We previously showed that the active components also alter ex vivo platelet function in persons with a high response to ADP agonist. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to evaluate the suitability of a tomato extract for use as a dietary supplement to prevent platelet activation. DESIGN: A randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled crossover study was conducted in 90 healthy human subjects selected for normal platelet function. Changes from baseline hemostatic function were measured 3 h after consumption of extract-enriched or control supplements. RESULTS: Significant reductions in ex vivo platelet aggregation induced by ADP and collagen were observed 3 h after supplementation with doses of tomato extract equivalent to 6 (6TE) and 2 (2TE) tomatoes [3 micromol ADP/L: 6TE (high dose), -21.3%; 2TE (low dose), -12.7%; P < 0.001; 7.5 micromol ADP/L: 6TE, -7.8%, 2TE, -7.6%; P < 0.001; 3 mg collagen/L: 6TE, -17.5%; 2TE, -14.6%; P = 0.007]. No significant effects were observed for control supplements. A dose response to tomato extract was found at low levels of platelet stimulation. Inhibition of platelet function was greatest in a subgroup with the highest plasma homocysteine (P < 0.05) and C-reactive protein concentrations (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: As a functional food or dietary supplement, tomato extract may have a role in primary prevention of cardiovascular disease by reducing platelet activation, which could contribute to a reduction in thrombotic events.

Aged↗

PubMed2006

Can nutraceuticals affect the structure of intestinal mucosa? Qualitative and quantitative microanatomy in L-glutamine diet-supplemented weaning piglets.

Weaning piglets were fed an L-glutamine-supplemented diet with the aim of monitoring the effects on gut mucosal turnover and barrier function, to elucidate the potential preventive or therapeutic roles of glutamine as a nutraceutical or 'functional food'. Sixteen female weaning piglets were divided into two groups, which were fed a control diet (Ctr group: n = 8) or a Ctr + 0.5% L-glutamine diet (G group: n = 8) for 28 days. In the ileum of group G piglets the villus height (V) and crypt depth (C) were increased, and the V:C ratio was decreased (p < 0.01). The PCNA and TUNEL immunoreactivities were also tested. The number of mitotic mucosal cells (M) was increased, and that of mucosal cells with apoptotic nuclei (A) decreased in such a way that the A:M index diminished (p < 0.01). The A:M index also decreased at the level of some components of the gut-associated lymphatic tissue (GALT), thus indicating a positive effect on the gut barrier function. This trial showed that L: -glutamine supplementation influenced some morphofunctional characteristics of piglet ileal mucosa. These data corroborate the nutraceutical role of glutamine as a trophic agent for mucosal repair, improvement of barrier function and gut adaptation in the swine per se and as an animal model.

Animal Feed↗

PubMed2005

Protective effect of potato peel powder in ameliorating oxidative stress in streptozotocin diabetic rats.

The potential of dietary potato peel (PP) powder in ameliorating oxidative stress (OS) and hyperglycemia was investigated in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. In a 4-week feeding trial, incorporation of potato peel powder (5 and 10%) in the diet of diabetic rats was found to significantly reduce the plasma glucose level and also reduce drastically the polyuria of STZ diabetic rats. The total food intake was significantly reduced in the diabetic rats fed 10% PP powder compared to the control diabetic rats. However, the body weight gain over 28 days was nearly four times greater in PP powder supplemented diabetic rats (both at 5 and 10%) compared to the control diabetic rats. PP powder in the diet also decreased the elevated activities of serum transaminases (ALT and AST) and nearly normalized the hepatic MDA and GSH levels as well as the activities of specific antioxidant enzymes in liver of diabetic rats. The result of these studies clearly establishes the modulatory propensity of PP against diabetes induced alterations. Considering that potato peels are discarded as waste and not effectively utilized, these results suggest the possibility that PP waste could be effectively used as an ingredient in health and functional food to ameliorate certain disease states such as diabetes.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

The cholesterol-lowering effect of coconut flakes in humans with moderately raised serum cholesterol.

This study investigated the effect of coconut flakes on serum cholesterol levels of humans with moderately raised serum cholesterol in 21 subjects. The serum total cholesterol of subjects differed and ranged from 259 to 283 mg/dL. The study was conducted in a double-blind randomized crossover design on a 14-week period, consisting of four 2-week experimental periods, with each experimental period separated by a 2-week washout period. The test foods were as follows: corn flakes as the control food, oat bran flakes as the reference food, and corn flakes with 15% and 25% dietary fiber from coconut flakes (made from coconut flour production). Results showed a significant percent reduction in serum total and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (in mg/dL) for all test foods, except for corn flakes, as follows: oat bran flakes, 8.4 +/- 1.4 and 8.8 +/- 6.0, respectively; 15% coconut flakes, 6.9 +/- 1.1 and 11.0 +/- 4.0, respectively; and 25% coconut flakes, 10.8 +/- 1.3 and 9.2 +/- 5.4, respectively. Serum triglycerides were significantly reduced for all test foods: corn flakes, 14.5 +/- 6.3%; oat bran flakes, 22.7 +/- 2.9%; 15% coconut flakes, 19.3 +/- 5.7%; and 25% coconut flakes, 21.8 +/- 6.0%. Only 60% of the subjects were considered for serum triglycerides reduction (serum triglycerides >170 mg/dL). In conclusion, both 15% and 25% coconut flakes reduced serum total and LDL cholesterol and serum triglycerides of humans with moderately raised serum cholesterol levels. Coconut flour is a good source of both soluble and insoluble dietary fiber, and both types of fiber may have significant role in the reduction of the above lipid biomarker. To our knowledge, this is the first study conducted to show a relationship between dietary fiber from a coconut by-product and a lipid biomarker. Results from this study serves as a good basis in the development of coconut flakes/flour as a functional food, justifying the increased production of coconut and coconut by-products.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Effects of xylanase treatments on gelling and water-uptaking properties of psyllium.

The effects of a commercial food-grade xylanase on the physicochemical properties of psyllium were evaluated. The enzymatic reactions were conducted in solid state at ambient temperature. The enzyme-treated psyllium preparations were analyzed and compared with the starting psyllium for their water-uptake properties, gelling capacities, soluble and insoluble fiber contents, and surface structures. The solid-state xylanase treatment significantly reduced both water-uptake and gelling capacities of psyllium (p < 0.01), with a slight decrease of soluble fiber content, whereas no effect on insoluble fiber content was observed. The xylanase treatment also resulted in a smoother surface structure of psyllium particles. In addition, no special equipment and operation were required to conduct the enzymatic reaction, which generated no waste. These data indicated a potential to improve the physicochemical properties of psyllium by use of the solid-state xylanase reactions to promote the utilization of psyllium fiber in functional foods for promoting human health.

Chemical Phenomena↗

PubMed2000

Neuroendocrine function and response to stress in mice with complete disruption of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor signaling.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), a potent regulator of glucose homeostasis, is also produced in the central nervous system, where GLP-1 has been implicated in the neuroendocrine control of hypothalamic-pituitary function, food intake, and the response to stress. The finding that intracerebroventricular GLP-1 stimulates LH, TSH, corticosterone, and vasopressin secretion in rats prompted us to assess the neuroendocrine consequences of disrupting GLP-1 signaling in mice in vivo. Male GLP-1 receptor knockout (GLP-1R-/-) mice exhibit reduced gonadal weights, and females exhibit a slight delay in the onset of puberty; however, male and female GLP-1R-/- animals reproduce successfully and respond appropriately to fluid restriction. Although adrenal weights are reduced in GLP-1R-/- mice, hypothalamic CRH gene expression and circulating levels of corticosterone, thyroid hormone, testosterone, estradiol, and progesterone are normal in the absence of GLP-1R-/- signaling. Intriguingly, GLP-1R-/- mice exhibit paradoxically increased corticosterone responses to stress as well as abnormal responses to acoustic startle that are corrected by glucocorticoid treatment. These findings suggest that although GLP-1R signaling is not essential for development and basal function of the murine hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, abrogation of GLP-1 signaling is associated with impairment of the behavioral and neuroendocrine responses to stress.

Acoustic Stimulation↗

PubMed2006

Preparation of liposomes from milk fat globule membrane phospholipids using a microfluidizer.

The isolation of milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) material from buttermilk on a commercial scale has provided a new ingredient rich in phospholipids and sphingolipids. An MFGM-derived phospholipid fraction was used to produce liposomes via a high-pressure homogenizer (Microfluidizer). This technique does not require the use of solvents or detergents, and is suitable for use in the food industry. The liposome dispersion had an average hydrodynamic diameter of 95 nm, with a broad particle-size distribution. Increasing the number of passes through the Microfluidizer, increasing the pressure, or reducing the phospholipid concentration all resulted in a smaller average liposome diameter. Changing these variables did not have a significant effect on the polydispersity of the dispersion. Electron microscopy showed that the dispersions formed had a range of structures, including unilamellar, multilamellar, and multivesicular liposomes. The composition of the MFGM phospholipid material is different from that of the phospholipids usually used for liposome production in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. The MFGM-derived fraction comprises approximately 25% sphingomyelin, and the fatty acids are primarily saturated and monounsaturated. These differences are likely to affect the properties of the liposomes produced from the phospholipid material, and it may be possible to exploit the unique composition of the MFGM phospholipid fraction in the delivery of bioactive ingredients in functional foods.

Chemical Phenomena↗

PubMed2001

Effects of plant stanol esters on LDL receptor protein expression and on LDL receptor and HMG-CoA reductase mRNA expression in mononuclear blood cells of healthy men and women.

Functional foods enriched with plant stanols lower atherogenic LDL cholesterol concentrations. This effect is caused at least partly by a decreased intestinal cholesterol absorption. It has been suggested that LDL production is reduced after plant stanol consumption, but it is unknown whether LDL receptor expression is affected and contributes to the LDL-lowering effect of plant stanols. Markers for endogenous cholesterol synthesis (lathosterol) increase, but it is not known how this higher cholesterol synthesis is regulated at the molecular level. In a double-blind placebo controlled trial, we have found that compared with the control group (N=15), daily consumption of 3.8-4.0 g plant stanol esters (N=29) for 8 weeks increased LDL receptor mRNA levels in human mononuclear blood cells by 43% (P=0.003). LDL receptor protein concentrations on the surface of monocytes and T lymphocytes increased by 37% (P=0.003) and 25% (P=0.013), suggesting an increased translation. This increased protein expression appeared to be functional, since changes in serum LDL cholesterol correlated negatively with changes in LDL receptor mRNA levels (r=-0.361; P=0.015) and changes in LDL receptor protein expression in monocytes (r=-0.440; P<0.001) and T lymphocytes (r=-0.307; P=0.018). Based on these results, we suggest that the higher LDL receptor expression contributed to a lowered LDL formation along the apoB cascade. Whole body cholesterol synthesis increased, as indicated by the rise in serum cholesterol-standardized lathosterol concentrations, but the 34% increased HMG-CoA reductase mRNA concentrations did not reach statistical significance. Nor did it correlate significantly with changes in serum cholesterol-standardized lathosterol concentrations. This suggests that HMG-CoA reductase may be only partly regulated at a transcriptional level.

Cholesterol↗