A positive impact on the serum lipid profile and cytokines after the consumption of a plant sterol-enriched beverage with a milk fat globule membrane: a clinical study

Food Funct. 2018 Oct 17;9(10):5209-5219. doi: 10.1039/c8fo00353j.

Abstract

The hypocholesterolemic effect and the modification of serum biomarkers of a dietary plant sterol (PS) intake, cholesterol precursors and cytokines after the consumption of milk-based fruit beverages with a milk fat globule membrane were evaluated by a randomized, double-blind, crossover, multiple dose bioavailability study. Postmenopausal women (n = 38) consumed daily 250 mL of a beverage with or without 2 g of PS added during 6 weeks in each of the study periods. With the intake of the PS-added beverage, significant decreases (mg dL-1) in serum total cholesterol (pre-treatment: 220.0 ± 27.8 vs. post-treatment: 212.9 ± 25.8; p < 0.05) and LDL-cholesterol (129.4 ± 28.5 vs. 121.7 ± 24.4; p < 0.05) were detected. The cholesterol precursor lathosterol (11.2%), markers of the dietary PS intake (campesterol 43.1% and β-sitosterol 32.5%), and anti-inflammatory IL-10 cytokine (22.5%) increased significantly, with a concomitant significant reduction in pro-inflammatory IL-1β (6.7%). No variations in HDL-cholesterol, other sterols (desmosterol and stigmasterol) or cytokines (IL-6, IL-8, IL-12p70 and TNF-α) were detected. These results indicated that this kind of PS-enriched milk-based fruit beverage is suitable during the period of clinical intervention, and its consumption may be an adequate way to improve PS functionality since a significant reduction in cholesterol levels has been observed. Therefore, the intake of this beverage could contribute to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease also obtaining a beneficial effect on the serum inflammatory status in postmenopausal women.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Anticholesteremic Agents / analysis
  • Anticholesteremic Agents / metabolism*
  • Beverages / analysis*
  • Cholesterol, HDL / blood
  • Cholesterol, LDL / blood
  • Cytokines / genetics
  • Cytokines / metabolism*
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Female
  • Glycolipids / metabolism*
  • Glycoproteins / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Hypercholesterolemia / blood
  • Hypercholesterolemia / diet therapy*
  • Lipid Droplets
  • Lipids / blood*
  • Middle Aged
  • Phytosterols / metabolism*
  • Postmenopause / metabolism

Substances

  • Anticholesteremic Agents
  • Cholesterol, HDL
  • Cholesterol, LDL
  • Cytokines
  • Glycolipids
  • Glycoproteins
  • Lipids
  • Phytosterols
  • milk fat globule