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Lipids and cardiovascular/metabolic health

A combination of palm oil tocotrienols and citrus peel polymethoxylated flavones does not influence elevated LDL cholesterol and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 69, pages 1209–1214 (2015)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Background/Objectives:

Lipid-lowering and anti-inflammatory effects have been individually described for tocotrienols (TTs) and polymethoxylated flavones (PMFs). This study investigated low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C)- and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP)-reducing effects of combined TT–PMF treatment in low doses in hypercholesterolemic individuals with subclinical inflammation.

Subjects/Methods:

In the double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 240 Caucasians with LDL-C ⩾3.36 mmol/l and hsCRP ⩾1 mg/l were enrolled and randomized into group S1 (12 mg/day TT and 103 mg/day PMF), group S2 (27 mg/day TT and 32 mg/day PMF) or placebo.

Results:

Twenty-three subjects dropped out of the study, 13 were excluded from the analysis because of lack of compliance. A total of 204 subjects per-protocol analysis were included. After 12 weeks of treatment, no significant differences in LDL-C levels (primary outcome) were observed between groups. LDL-C levels significantly decreased in all intervention groups (S1: −5.2%, S2: −4.8% and P: −4.2%). Total cholesterol and hsCRP (secondary outcome) did not change significantly.

Conclusions:

PMF–TT supplements had no effect beyond that of placebo on elevated LDL-C and hsCRP levels.

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Acknowledgements

We thank the participants who contributed their time to this project. The production and provision of the study supplements by Dr. Loges+Co GmbH is greatly acknowledged. The authors are solely responsible for the design and conduct of the study, collection, management, analysis and interpretation of the data, as well as preparation of the manuscript. All authors had full access to the data and take responsibility for its integrity. All authors have read and agree with the manuscript as written.

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  1. Institute of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Leibniz University Hannover, Hannover, Germany

    J P Schuchardt, S Heine & A Hahn

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  1. J P Schuchardt
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Correspondence to J P Schuchardt.

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Schuchardt, J., Heine, S. & Hahn, A. A combination of palm oil tocotrienols and citrus peel polymethoxylated flavones does not influence elevated LDL cholesterol and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels. Eur J Clin Nutr 69, 1209–1214 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1038/ejcn.2015.44

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