The whey fermentation product malleable protein matrix decreases triglyceride concentrations in subjects with hypercholesterolemia: A randomized placebo-controlled trial

Abstract

Malleable protein matrix (MPM) is a unique whey-derived ingredient obtained through a fermentation process using proprietary lactic acid bacteria strains from the Lactobacillus kefiranofaciens species. Because evidence from animal models suggests that MPM decreases serum lipid concentrations, the purpose of the present trial was to assess the hypothesis that MPM exerts lipid-lowering effects in humans. A total of 161 subjects (50% male; age 54.5 ± 9.8 yr, body mass index 26.3 ± 3.6 kg/m(2)) with hypercholesterolemia with baseline low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels of 181 ± 30 mg/dL and normal triglyceride (TG) levels (131 ± 55 mg/dL) were randomized to receive MPM (2 × 15 g/d) or matching placebo. A 6-wk run-in phase was followed by a double-blind 12-wk treatment phase after randomization. The data were analyzed on an intention-to-treat basis. The primary outcome measure was the percentage change of LDL-C. The secondary outcome measures were changes in TG and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations as well as changes in other cardiovascular risk factors. After 12 wk of treatment, the relative TG decrease from baseline reached 9.8%, whereas LDL-C was slightly decreased (by 1.5%) following MPM treatment compared with placebo in the intention-to-treat cohort. The treatment effect on TG reduction was much higher in the subset of subjects having TG levels at baseline of 150 mg/dL or above (n=42), reaching 20.0% compared with placebo. High-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations, blood pressure, and fasting blood glucose remained unchanged, whereas a positive treatment effect was seen on hemoglobin A(1c). The MPM product was tolerated well without severe adverse events. In conclusion, MPM has significant TG-lowering properties in subjects with combined hypercholesterolemia and higher TG levels. Its effects on LDL-C concentrations and glucose metabolism deserve further investigation.

The whey fermentation product malleable protein matrix decreases TAG concentrations in patients with the metabolic syndrome: a randomised placebo-controlled trial

“…The most common adverse effects were of gastro-intestinal nature, such as diarrhoea, flatulence, nausea and upper abdominal discomfort (see Table 7). These results are in agreement with our recent findings that in patients with hypercholesterolaemia, MPM decreases TAG concentrations by approximately 10 % (16) . Supplementation with MPM has previously been shown to have TAG-and LDL-C-lowering properties as well as FPG-and BP-modulating effects in animal models (15) .…”

“…Bortolotti et al ( 10 ) used a whey protein supplement in obese females (60 g/d over 4 weeks) and showed that fasting TAG decreased by 15 %. Our group has recently studied, in a randomised, double-blind, 12-week trial, the effects of MPM (2 × 15 g/d) on lipoprotein concentrations in 161 subjects with hypercholesterolaemia and observed a 10 % decrease in TAG in the MPM group compared to placebo ( 16 ) . Some studies involving subjects with moderate hypercholesterolaemia report lipid-lowering activities of fermented milk products containing live bacteria such as lactobacilli and bifidobacteria ( 39 – 43 ) , but it is unlikely that the observed effect of MPM on lipids come from such probiotic properties since the Lactobacillus strain used in the production of MPM is heat-killed.…”

“…Moreover, short-term supplementation with MPM was shown to have TAG- and LDL cholesterol (LDL-C)-lowering properties and to modulate glucose and blood pressure in animal models ( 15 ) . Our group recently demonstrated in a randomised trial that MPM significantly decreases TAG concentrations in human subjects with hypercholesterolaemia ( 16 ) .…”

Ovariectomy Impaired Hepatic Glucose and Lipid Homeostasis and Altered the Gut Microbiota in Mice With Different Diets

“…We speculated that the increase of TC in the OVXN mice and the increase of LDL-C in both the OVXN and the OVXH mice was also caused by the decrease of the physiological function in eliminating them. The situation of normal fasting glucose and normal TG concentration in serum of hypercholesterolemia patients have also been reported previously ( 54 – 57 ). It indicated that ovaries might have very important functions in eliminating TC and LDL-C in females.…”

Whey Protein Lycosome Formulation Improves Vascular Functions and Plasma Lipids with Reduction of Markers of Inflammation and Oxidative Stress in Prehypertension

“…Similar observations have been made in a clinical setting. Reduced intrahepatic lipid accumulation in obese female patients [6] and amelioration of macrovesicular steatosis in NASH [7], elimination of elevated plasma triglyceride and cholesterol levels in hypercholesterolemia [8], reduced LDL [9] as well as improved insulin sensitivity in insulin-resistant individuals [10], increase in antioxidant capacity [7], broad antibacterial activity [11, 12], and inhibition of inflammation including in cardio- and cerebrovascular patients [9, 13] have all been attributed to whey protein constituent intake (lactoferrin, immunoglobulins, glutamine, lactalbumin, and their peptides) in interventional clinical trials. …”