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Solubilization of phytosterols in diacylglycerol versus triacylglycerol improves the serum cholesterol-lowering effect

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 55, pages 513–517 (2001)Cite this article

Abstract

Objective: This study was performed to investigate the difference in the serum-cholesterol- and triglyceride-lowering activities between phytosterols dissolved in diacylglycerol (PS/DG) and dispersed in triacylglycerol (PS/TG). The effects of the solvent on the concentrations of serum β-sitosterol and campesterol were examined.

Design: The study had a randomised crossover design.

Subjects: Twelve healthy normocholesterolemic or moderately hypercholesterolemic men aged 29–50 y participated in this study.

Interventions: For 2 weeks before the test period (designated as the control period), all subjects consumed control mayonnaise (PS free) daily with supper and were randomly assigned to two groups for the 2 week test period; one group was given mayonnaise containing PS (500 mg/day) dissolved in DG (10 g/day), and the other mayonnaise containing PS (500 mg/day) dispersed in TG (10 g/day). After a wash out period consuming control PS-free mayonnaise for 4 weeks, the groups were reversed for 2 weeks.

Results: PS/TG feeding had no effect on the serum cholesterol level. In contrast, PS/DG feeding significantly reduced the total and LDL cholesterol levels from the initial value of 5.57 to 5.31 mmol/l (4.7%; P<0.05) and from 3.69 to 3.39 mmol/l (7.6%; P<0.05), respectively. Moreover, the degree of total cholesterol reduction induced by PS/DG feeding in the test period was significantly greater than that induced by PS/TG feeding (P<0.05). In addition, the serum β-sitosterol and campesterol concentrations did not change during the PS/TG or PS/DG feeding periods.

Conclusions: Dissolution of PS in DG had a better serum cholesterol lowering effect than dissolution in TG.

Sponsorship: Kao Corporation.

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2001) 55, 513–517

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Author notes

  1. I Tokimitsu: Guarantor: I Tokimitsu.

  2. S Meguro, K Higashi, T Hase, Y Honda, A Otsuka, I Tokimitsu and H Itakura: Contributors: SM contributed to the experimental design and data analysis, and wrote the final version of the manuscript. KH contributed to the experimental design and data analysis and wrote the first version of the manuscript. TH, YH and AO contributed to the experimental design, data analysis and the control of the diet. IT is the group leader and contributed to the experimental design and data analysis. HI provided advice during all the stages of the work and participated in editing the manuscript.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Biological Science Laboratory, Kao Corporation, Tochigi, Japan

    S Meguro, K Higashi, T Hase, Y Honda, A Otsuka & I Tokimitsu

  2. Division of Clinical Nutrition, National Institute of Health and Nutrition, Tokyo, Japan

    H Itakura

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  1. S Meguro
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Correspondence to I Tokimitsu.

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Meguro, S., Higashi, K., Hase, T. et al. Solubilization of phytosterols in diacylglycerol versus triacylglycerol improves the serum cholesterol-lowering effect. Eur J Clin Nutr 55, 513–517 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1601173

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