Cholesterol-lowering phytosterols: factors affecting their use and efficacy

Abstract

Phytosterols are essential components of plant cells and therefore naturally present in the human diet. When used therapeutically, phytosterols can significantly lower serum cholesterol concentrations. Meta-analyses of clinical trials indicate about 10% reduction of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol when phytosterols are consumed at the recommended dose of 2 g/d. Thus, phytosterols can be an important part of an overall dietary strategy to manage cholesterol levels, particularly for patients who cannot tolerate cholesterol-lowering drugs. Although other health benefits have been attributed to phytosterols, including anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and immune regulatory effects, this review will focus on the therapeutic use of phytosterols related to serum cholesterol, their mechanisms of action, and the various types of phytosterols available to consumers.

Phytosterol stearate esters elicit similar responses on plasma lipids and cholesterol absorption but different responses on fecal neutral sterol excretion and hepatic free cholesterol in male Syrian hamsters

“…The primary mechanism by which phytosterols lower cholesterol is thought to be displacement of cholesterol from micelles by free phytosterols [32] and phytosterols hydrolyzed from phytosterol esters [33]. We recently observed that about 90% of phytosterol oleate esters are hydrolyzed in vivo (unpublished observa- Values are means ± SEM; n = 9 to 10.…”

Analysis of triterpenoids and phytosterols in vegetables by thin-layer chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry

“…Pharmacological studies of triterpenoids showed anticancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-ulcerogenic, anti-microbial, anti-viral (including anti-HIV), anti-fungal, analgesic, antioxidative, hepatoprotective and some other activities [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10]. Phytosterols are well known for their cholesterol-lowering properties, and also demonstrate anticancer, anti-inflammatory and immunoregulatory activities [11,12]. Due to the growing interest in triterpenoids and phytosterols, the development of suitable modern analytical methods for the determination of these metabolites in natural products, is of paramount importance.…”

A comparative study of bioactive compounds in primitive wheat populations from Italy, Turkey, Georgia, Bulgaria and Armenia

“…Phytosterol, consumed with the diet, can influence cholesterol metabolism and the main health‐promoting effect is lowering of serum cholesterol . It has been demonstrated that although tetraploid and hexaploid wheat sterol profiles were qualitatively the same, they differed significantly on the basis of the relative amounts of specific compounds …”

“…16 Phytosterol, consumed with the diet, can influence cholesterol metabolism and the main health-promoting effect is lowering of serum cholesterol. 17 It has been demonstrated that although tetraploid and hexaploid wheat sterol profiles were qualitatively the same, they differed significantly on the basis of the relative amounts of specific compounds. 18,19 In several countries primitive wheats also represent the basis for the manufacture of local foods that are now being revalued after a long period of neglect.…”