Minimal Effective Dose of Plant Sterol on Serum Cholesterol Concentration in Japanese Subjects and Safety Evaluation of Plant Sterol Supplemented in Mayonnaise

Abstract

For examination of the title parameters, study was made in which forty healthy male subjects (serum cholesterol concentration 170 309 mg/dL) were fed 0, 200, 400, 600, or 800 mg/day of free plant sterol supplemented in mayonnaise for 4 consecutive weeks. Only the 800 mg/day group significantly reduced serum cholesterol by the paired t-test (Exp.1). Thirtytwo healthy males (serum cholesterol, 184 285 mg/dL) were made to consume plant sterol as ester at 0, 800, 1600, or 2400 mg/day. In all cases at more than 800 mg/day reduction in serum cholesterol was noted though without significant difference with paired t-test results (Exp.2). Subsequent to the mayonnaise consumption, normal diets were resumed for a period of 4 weeks. Total cholesterol showed original values at the end of this period. Plant sterol is thus shown to be a dietary component capable of reducing cholesterol by these results. Fifteen healthy subjects (males 10, females 5) were made to consume free plant sterol supplemented in mayonnaise at 2400 mg/day for 4 consecutive weeks. No change in serum vitamin A or vitamin E levels was observed at 2400 mg consumption. At 2400 mg, a significant increase in serum b-sitosterol was noted though it was markedly less than b-sitosterolemia. Clinical trial results, in all cases, were normal (Exp.3). The minimal effective dose of plant sterol on serum cholesterol concentration would thus appear to be 800 mg/day. At 2400 mg/day in mayonnaise, physiological and biochemical safety markers in serum would not undergo abnormal change.

Cholesterol-Lowering Activity of Plant Sterol-Egg Yolk Lipoprotein Complex in Rats

“…It has been reported that the minimal effective dose of plant sterols that lowers serum cholesterol concentrations is more than 800 mg/day 2) , which was confirmed in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study in mildly hypercholesterolemic Japanese subjects 3,4) . Because only negligible amounts of plant sterols are absorbed by the small intestine, plant sterols are considered safe in foods for reducing serum cholesterol concentrations 1) .…”

“…Plant sterols consist of two types: free plant sterols and plant sterol esters. It has been reported that both free plant sterols and plant sterol esters reduce serum cholesterol concentrations 2) . Free plant sterols do not readily dissolve in oil and water; therefore, they are not supplemented in processed foods.…”

Health Functions of Egg Protein

“…It is known that some responders are prone to increased serum cholesterol concentrations when cholesterol is ingested [ 42 , 43 ]. Furthermore, dietary influences such as functional components that reduce cholesterol absorption, such as phytosterols, soy protein, or dietary fiber, should be considered [ 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 ]. Chicken eggs’ functional components, specifically egg yolk phospholipids, have been reported to suppress cholesterol absorption [ 49 ].…”