Abstract
Background
Risk factors of cardiovascular disease such as lipid aberrations, hypertension, abdominal
adiposity and elevations in systemic inflammation, are prominent aetiologies in hyperlipidemia.
Supplementation with n-3 PUFA is associated with a reduction in cardiovascular events
through its hypotriglyceridemic, anti-aggregatory and anti-inflammatory properties.
Plant sterols have potent hypocholesterolemic properties, although their effect on
the inflammatory cascade is uncertain. This study investigated the effect of combined
supplementation with n-3 PUFA and plant sterols on cardiovascular risk factors, blood
pressure, body composition, markers of systemic inflammation and overall risk, in
hyperlipidemic individuals.
Methods
The study was a 3-week randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 2 × 2 factorial design, in four parallel groups. Sixty hyperlipidemic participants were
randomised to recieve either sunola oil or 1.4 g/d n-3 PUFA capsules with or without 2 g plant sterols per day.
Results
The combination of n-3 PUFA and plant sterols reduced several inflammatory markers.
High sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) was reduced by 39% (P = 0.009), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) by 10% (P = 0.02), interleukin-6 (IL-6) by 10.7% (P = 0.009), leukotriene B4 (LTB4) by 29.5% (P = 0.01) and adiponectin was increased by 29.5% (P = 0.05). Overall cardiovascular risk was reduced by 22.6% (P = 0.006) in the combination group.
Conclusion
We have demonstrated, for the first time that dietary intervention with n-3 PUFA and
plant sterols reduces systemic inflammation in hyperlipidemic individuals. Furthermore,
our results suggest that reducing inflammation provides a potential mechanism by which
the combination of n-3 PUFA and plant sterols are cardioprotective.
Keywords
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Article Info
Publication History
Published online: November 03, 2008
Accepted:
September 11,
2008
Received in revised form:
June 22,
2008
Received:
May 20,
2008
Identification
Copyright
© 2008 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.