The beneficial effects of nutraceuticals and natural products on small dense LDL levels, LDL particle number and LDL particle size: a clinical review

Abstract

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are globally the major causes of morbidity and mortality. Evidence shows that smaller and denser low-dense lipoprotein (sdLDL) particles are independent atherogenic risk factors for CVD due to their greater susceptibility to oxidation, and permeability in the endothelium of arterial walls. sdLDL levels are an independent risk factor and of more predictive value than total LDL-C for the assessment of coronary artery disease and metabolic syndrome. Functional food ingredients have attracted significant attention for the management of dyslipidemia and subsequently increase cardio-metabolic health. However, to date there is no study that has investigated the effect of these bioactive natural compounds on sdLDL levels. Therefore, the aim of the present review is to summarize the evidence accrued on the effect of special dietary ingredients such as omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, nutraceuticals and herbal medicines on the levels of sdLDL, LDL particle number, and LDL particle size. Based on the results of the existing clinical trials this review suggests that natural products such as medicinal plants, nutraceuticals and omega-3 fatty acids can be used as adjunct or complementary therapeutic agents to reduce sdLDL levels, LDL particle numbers or increase LDL particle size and subsequently may prevent and treat CVD, with the advantage that theses natural agents are generally safe, accessible, and inexpensive.

Lipids, inflammasomes, metabolism, and disease

“…Omega-3 (ω-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids, which include eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), have varied roles in human health and disease. 181 Deficiency in ω-3 fatty acids is associated with chronic diseases. One study demonstrated that pretreatment of LPS-primed BMDMs with DHA and EPA inhibited inflammasome activation and IL-1β secretion.…”

CARACTERIZACIÓN, DIGESTIBILIDAD Y EFECTO PREBIOTICO DEL EXTRACTO DEL FRUTO DE Stenocereus queretaroensis F.A.C. WEBER BUXBAUM

“…A current tendency of the world population is focused on consuming natural foods derived from plants with high nutritional value (Román-Cortés et al, 2018;Orozco-Sifuentes et al, 2019;Ramírez-Jaspeado et al, 2020) and prebiotic properties (Talebi et al, 2020). Stenocereus queretaroensis (Cactaceae) is a plant endemic to Mexico (Campos-Rojas et al, 2011).…”

Small dense low-density lipoprotein cholesterol is an effective target marker for predicting cardiovascular events and laser treatment for retinopathy in diabetic patients

“…SdLDL is a particle with a speci c density of 1.044-1.063 g/ml and a size of 19.0-20.5 nm [9,17]. As compared with lbLDL, sdLDL particles have lower a nity to the LDL receptor, and longer retention time in the circulation.…”

“…More recently, LDL-C has been subdivided into granular fractions, among which small dense LDL-C (sdLDL-C) with a smaller particle size has attracted attention as a lipid marker that may be more sensitive for predicting CV events than LDL-C [7,8]. LDL-C with a smaller particle size is more easily oxidized and permeable to the cell wall [9], promoting atherosclerotic changes more than LDL-C with a larger particle size, so called large buoyant LDL-C (lbLDL-C). Several studies, including the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study, have reported sdLDL-C as a more sensitive predictive marker of CV events as compared with LDL-C [8].…”