Lychee (Litchi chinensis Sonn) peel flour: effects on hepatoprotection and dyslipidemia induced by a hypercholesterolemic diet

ABSTRACT Dyslipidemias are associated with the incidence of cardiovascular diseases, obesity, diabetes, hypertension and hepatic steatosis, being the cause of morbidity and mortality. This study investigated the effects of lychee peel flour (PF) on serum levels of total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL-c), triacylglycerols (TAG) and various parameters related to obesity, in rats fed a hypercholesterolemic diet. Therefore, 20 male rats were used. In the first 21 days, the animals were fed a hypercholesterolemic diet, except for control group. In the following 21 days, their diets were modified, and they received a standard diet (Control); hypercholesterolemic (Hyper); hypercholesterolemic + 5% PF (PF5) and hypercholesterolemic + 10% PF (PF10). The results revealed that PF intake attenuated weight gain, reduced body mass index, glucose and the levels of TAG, TC, LDL-c, hepatic enzymes and leptin, besides the percentage of hepatic lipids, liver lipid peroxidation and frequency of severe steatosis. Histological studies of the aorta did not show the formation of the atheromatous plaque. These results reinforce its potential to reduce the risk of diseases associated with obesity.

Efeito hipolipemiante da suplementação dietética com a farinha do cubiu (Solanum sessiliflorum Dunal) em ratos hipercolesterolêmicos / Hypolipidemic effect of diet supplementation with cocona (Solanum sessiliflorum Dunal) flour in hypercholesterolemic rats

Estudos com frutas e vegetais ricos em fibra alimentar tem demonstrado efeito redutor das concentrações sanguíneas de colesterol total, atuando de forma preventiva contra a hipercolesterolemia. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi analisar a composição química da farinha de cubiu e avaliar o efeito de seu consumo sobre a lipemia de ratos hipercolesterolêmicos. Foram utilizados 8 animais para cada tratamento, em 7 grupos sendo: 1 controle; 3 experimentais com 5%, 25% e 50% da recomendação de fibras (AIN-93) provenientes da farinha de cubiu; e 3 grupos per feeding tendo celulose e pectina como fonte de fibra alimentar nas mesmas proporções dos grupos experimentais. Ao final do ensaio foi verificado que não houve variação significativa no consumo de ração pelos animais e no ganho de massa corporal no decorrer do experimento. Os tratamentos com farinha de cubiu reduziram as concentrações de colesterol total (-21,6%), LDL-c (-56,8%), aumentaram a excreção de colesterol fecal (+116%), e diminuíram o colesterol hepático (-32,1%). Nenhum dos tratamentos promoveu alteração significativa nas concentrações de triglicerídeos. Os tratamentos com pectina e celulose demonstraram resultados semelhantes aos do cubiu. Os resultados observados servem como base para futuros estudos visando o aproveitamento biotecnológico deste fruto.

Studies with fruit and vegetables rich in dietary fiber have shown lowering effects on the blood concentrations of total cholesterol (TC), acting preventively against hypercholesterolemia. The aim of this study was to analyze the chemical composition of cocona and evaluate the effect of the consumption of cocona flour on lipemia of Wistar rats with hypercholesterolemia. Eight animals were used for each treatment, in 7 groups: control; 3 experimental groups with 5%, 25% and 50% of the recommended fiber (AIN-93) from cocona flour; 3 groups per feeding with pectin and cellulose as source of dietary fiber, in the same proportions of the experimental groups. At the end of the assay, we verified that there were not significant variations in the consumption of the animals and the body weight during the experiment. Treatments with cocna flour were responsible for reducing the concentrations of total cholesterol (-21.6%), LDL-c (-56.8%), increasing the excretion of fecal cholesterol (+116%) and lowering the liver cholesterol (-32.1%). None of the treatments significantly altered the triglyceride concentrations. Treatments using pectin and cellulose show results similar to cocona. The observed results can be used in further studies aimed at the biotechnological exploitation of this fruit.

Molecular regulation of cholesterol metabolism: HDL-based intervention through drugs and diet.

The overloading of cholesterol in the arteries remains the principal cause of cardiovascular diseases. Since available anti-cholesterolemic drugs are not completely effective and have several severe adverse effects, the aim of this review is to analyze current research focused on the emerging, innovative therapeutic strategies based on both pharmacological and nutritional interventions to control cholesterol metabolism. Pharmacological interventions mainly involve the use of molecules capable of interfering with high-density lipoprotien (HDL) metabolism and the reverse cholesterol transport (RCT) through genetic control of apolipoprotein A-I (ApoA-I), agonism at liver X-receptor a (LXRa), or inhibition of cholesteryl ester transport protein (CETP), scavenger receptor BI(SR-BI), and ecto F0F1ATPase/synthase. Nutritional interventions are based on the use of fibres, phytosterols, and probiotics acting through interference with absorption and re-absorption of cholesterol by enterocyte and hepatocyte specific transporters, thus influencing RCT final step. The search for new drugs is still at the very beginning and new molecules are not yet ready to enter clinical use. However, several promising findings coming from innovative biotechnological research are expected shortly to produce probiotics, fibres, and phytosterols to be used as therapeutic tools. Among the most important advantages of natural products in respect to traditional drugs are the lack of severe adverse effects and their low cost.

Effects of the kefir and banana pulp and skin flours on hypercholesterolemic rats

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of kefir and banana pulp and skin flours on the serum levels of total cholesterol, HDL-c, LDL-c and triacylglycerols in rats fed cholesterol-rich diet. METHODS: Thirty Male Wistar rats were used. In the first 21 days, the animals were fed purified hypercholesterolemic diets, except the standard group. In the next 21 days, the animals were given modified diets: Group GC: standard diet AIN-93G; Group HIP: hypercholesterolemic diet; Group F: hypercholesterolemic diet added of 1% of banana skin flour and 7% of banana pulp flour; Group Q: hypercholesterolemic diet plus kefir suspension by oral infusion (1.5 ml/animal); Group FQ: hypercholesterolemic diet added of 1% banana skin flour and 7% of banana pulp flour plus kefir suspension (1.5 ml/animal). RESULTS: In spite of the high fiber content, the addition of banana pulp (7%) and skin (1%) flour did not alter the plasma levels of total cholesterol, HDL-c and LDL-c. However, they reduced the TG levels in 22%. Already fermented kefir reduced significantly the levels of VLDL, LDL-c and triacylglycerols, in addition to having increased HDL-c. However, it was not possible to verify the symbiotic effect between both. CONCLUSION: The results reinforce the beneficial effects of kefir in reducing the risks of cardiovascular diseases.

Antihypercholesterolaemic influence of dietary tender cluster beans (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba) in cholesterol fed rats.

Background & objectives: Cluster beans (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba) are rich source of soluble fibre content and are known for their cholesterol lowering effect. The beneficial anti-hypercholesterolaemic effect of whole dietary cluster beans as a source of dietary fibre was evaluated in high cholesterol diet induced hypercholesterolaemia in experimental rats. Methods: Male Wistar rats (90-95 g) divided in six groups of 10 rats each were used. Freeze dried tender cluster beans were included at 12.5 and 25 per cent levels in the diet of animals maintained for 8 wk either on high (0.5%) cholesterol diet or basal control diet. Results: Significant anti-hypercholesterolaemic effect was seen in cluster bean fed animals, the decrease in serum cholesterol being particularly in the LDL associated fraction. There was also a beneficial increase in HDL associated cholesterol fraction. Hepatic lipid profile showed a significant decrease in both cholesterol and triglycerides as a result of feeding tender cluster beans along with high cholesterol diet. Interpretation & Conclusions: The present experimental results showed the beneficial hypocholesterolaemic and hypolipidimic influences dietary tender cluster beans in atherogenic situation. Studies in human need to be done to confirm the results.

Disminución de hipercolesterolemia infanto juvenil tras dos años de intervención / Hypercholesterolemia reduction in children and adolescents after two years of intervention

La hipercolesterolemia, un factor de riesgo para la enfermedad cardiovascular, puede comenzar en la niñez. La detección precoz y un proceso educativo permitirían cambiar hábitos y disminuir su prevalencia.Objetivo. Evaluar las modificaciones del nivel de colesterolemia luego de una intervención educativa; analizar la relación entre hipercolesterolemiae historia clínica familiar para factores de riesgo cardiovascular.Métodos. En 2003 se midió colesterolemia. Durante dos años se realizó una intervención educativa,formal e informal, con adaptacionescurriculares, charlas, campañas en radio y TV, prensa gráfica, teatralizaciones, talleres y folletos.En 2005 se midió colesterolemia y se realizó una encuesta sobre cambios de hábitos alimentarios y de actividad física, e historia familiar de riesgo cardiovascular.Resultados. En 161 escolares, evaluados en ambas oportunidades, hubo un significativo descenso en la media de colesterol total de 13 mg/dl(p menor 0,0000); 51 alumnos (31,7 por ciento) normalizaron su colesterol total (menor 170 mg/dl). En 66 alumnos con colesterol total mayor 199 mg/dl, las variaciones delas medias fueron: colesterol total= -21 mg/dl, colesterol-LDL= -16 mg/dl. La encuesta reveló mejoras en los hábitos. La historia familiar fue positiva en un 59 por ciento, desconocida en un 14 por ciento y negativa en un 27 por cientoi; estos últimos, respondieron mejor a la intervención.Conclusión. Se obtuvo un descenso significativo de colesterol total en la población estudiada, que podría ser atribuido a la intervención educativa.Más de una cuarta parte de los individuos presentaron historia familiar negativa. La disminución del colesterol total fue mejor en este grupo.

Physiological and physico-chemical characterization of dietary fibre from the green seaweed Ulva fasciata Delile / Caracterização fisiológica e físico-química da fibra alimentar da macroalga marinha verde Ulva fasciata Delile

This work aims to assess the potential of the green seaweed Ulva fasciata Delile as an alternative source of dietary fibre (DF). Total DF content was determined, some of its physico-chemical properties described and the physiological effects of U. fasciata meal on rats fed a hypercholesterolemic diet were investigated. U. fasciata may be considered a potential alternative source of DF with a total content of about 400 g.kg-1 (dry basis) and interesting physico-chemical properties: water retention capacity of 8.74 g/water.g-1 dry sample (seaweed meal) and 0.90 (seaweed carbohydrate extract), lipid adsorption capacity of 4.52 g/oil.g-1 dry sample (seaweed meal) and 5.70 (seaweed carbohydrate extract), intrinsic viscosity of 2.4 dl.g-1 (seaweed carbohydrate extract) and cation exchange capacity of 3.51 Eq.kg-1 (seaweed carbohydrate extract). The diet containing seaweed meal was able to keep rats' total cholesterol (TC) down without causing any undesirable increase in LDL-C fraction. No evidence of toxic and/or antinutritional components in the seaweed meal was detected. Rats showed a fecal volume much greater (13 g) than that fed on cellulose diet ( 7 g) (p < 0.05). These properties confer on the seaweed the potential to be used in food technology for the acquisition of low-calorie food and might be important in body weight control, reduction of blood TC and LDL-C as well as in prevention of gastrointestinal diseases.

Este trabalho objetivou avaliar o potencial da alga marinha verde Ulva fasciata Delile como fonte alternativa de fibra alimentar. Foram realizadas a determinação do teor de fibra alimentar total e a descrição de algumas propriedades físico-químicas, e os efeitos fisiológicos da farinha da alga seca sobre ratos alimentados com dieta hipercolesterolemizante foram investigados. Esta alga pode ser considerada uma fonte alternativa potencial de fibra com cerca de 400 g.kg-1 (base seca) e propriedades físico-químicas interessantes: uma capacidade de retenção de água de 8,74 g/água.g-1 de amostra seca (farinha de alga) e 0,90 (extrato de carboidratos), uma capacidade de adsorção de lipídeos de 4,52 g/óleo.g-1 de amostra seca (farinha de alga) e 5,70 (extrato de carboidratos), uma viscosidade intrínseca de 2,4 dl.g-1 (extrato de carboidrato da alga) e capacidade de troca iônica de 3,51 Eq.kg-1 (extrato de carboidrato). A dieta contendo farinha de alga foi capaz de manter baixos os níveis de colesterol total de ratos sem causar aumento indesejável na fração LDL-C. Nenhuma evidência de componentes tóxicos e/ou antinutricionais na farinha de alga foi encontrada. Os ratos mostraram um volume fecal maior (13 g) do que aqueles alimentados com dieta contendo celulose como fonte de fibra (7 g) (p < 0,05). Essas propriedades conferem a alga o potencial de ser utilizada na tecnologia de alimentos para a aquisição de alimentos de baixas calorias, podendo ser importante para o controle do peso corporal, redução do colesterol sanguíneo total e da fração LDL-C, como também na prevenção de doenças gastrintestinais.

Excreção de gordura fecal de ratos (Rattus norvegicus, Wistar), submetidos a dietas hiperlipídicas e hipercolesterolêmicas suplementadas com quitosana / Faecal fat excretion of mice (Rattus norvegicus, Wistar), submitted to hypercholesterolemic and hyperlipidic diets supplemented with chitosan

Investigou-se o efeito de duas marcas comerciais de quitosana na excreção de gordura fecal, em ratos submetidos a dietas hipercolesterolêmicas e hiperlipídicas. Utilizou-se 32 ratos Wistar, distribuídos aleatoriamente em quatro grupos (n=8): grupo controle (GC), recebeu dieta AIN-93G, grupo hiperlipídico (GH):dieta AIN-93G modificada no teor de lipídios (12%) e suplementada com colesterol (1%), e os grupos hiperlipídico quitosana 1 (GHQ1) e hiperlipídico quitosana 2 (GHQ2), quereceberam a mesma dieta do GH, suplementados com suas respectivas quitosanas (5%). Realizou-se coleta de fezes nos dias 0, 14o e 28o do experimento. A determinação da gordura fecal (g) foi realizada através do método de Soxhlet. Não foram observadas diferenças estatísticas significativas (p>0,05) entre os 4 grupos quanto ao teor de gordura fecal no início do experimento. No 14o dia, o grupo GHQ1 teve aumento significativo na excreção de gordura fecal quando comparado aos outros três grupos (p<0,05). No 28º dia, no grupo GHQ1, a excreção de gordura fecal foi maiorque nos demais grupos (p<0,05), enquanto que o grupo GHQ2 não diferiu estatisticamente do grupo GH. Os resultados sugerem que as diferenças entre estes dois grupos podem ser devidas ao grau de pureza, viscosidade e grau de desacetilação das quitosanas.

The effect of two comercial brands of chitosan in the faecal fat excretion was investigated in mice submitted tohypercholesterolemic and hyperlipidic diets. 32 rats Wistar, recently weaned, distributed randomly in four groups (n=8): control group (CG), received diet of AIN- 93G; hyperlipidic group (HG): diet of AIN-93G modified in the lipids content (12%) and supplemented withcholesterol (1%); and the chitosan hyperlipidic groups 1 (QHG1) and chitosan hyperlipidic 2 (QHG2), thatreceived the same diet of the HG, supplemented with their respective chitosan (5%). The faecal collection wasconducted on the days 0, 14th and 28th of the experiment. The faecal fat determination (g) was conducted through the Soxhlet method. No significant statistical differences (p>0.05) were observed among the 4 groups as to the fat content in the beginning of the experiment. On the 14th day, the GHQ1 group had a significant increase of faecal fatwhen compared to the other three groups (p<0.05). On the 28th day, in the GHQ1 group, the faecal fat excretion was larger than in the other groups (p<0.05), while the group GHQ2 had not statistically differed from the group GH. The results suggest that the differences between these two groups can be caused by the purity degree, viscosity and deacetylation degree of the chitosans.

Antidiabetic, antihypercholesterolaemic and antioxidant effect of Ocimum sanctum (Linn) seed oil.

Antihyperlipidaemic and antioxidant effect of Ocimum sanctum Linn. seed oil (OSSO) was investigated in rabbits. Administration of OSSO (0.8 g/kg body weight/day) for four weeks, in cholesterol (100 mg/kg body weight/day) fed rabbits significantly decreased serum cholesterol, triacylglycerol and LDL-+VLDL-cholesterol as compared to untreated cholesterol fed group. There was significant fall in atherogenic index in OSSO treated group. In addition, treatment with OSSO decreased lipid peroxidation and increased reduced glutathione content in blood. Antidiabetic effect of O. sanctum seed oil was evaluated in alloxan diabetic rabbits. Two weeks treatment of diabetic rabbits with OSSO (0.8 gm/kg/day) showed no significant hypoglycaemic effect. Results of the present study show that OSSO has hypocholesterolaemic and antioxidant effects but it does not have antidiabetic effect.

[Effect of lecithin on blood lipid profiles in hypercholesterolemic patients]

Hypercholesterolemia is a risk factor for atherosclerosis that responded variably to dietary modification of fat and cholesterol. Previous studies in humans have shown that ingestion of lecithin can alter plasma cholesterol and triglyceride but results were different. The current study was designed to investigate the hypocholesterolemic properties of lecithin on patient with hypocholesterolemia. Sixty one subjects [27 Male, 34 Female] with mean ages 44 +/- 14 years old with hypercholesterolemia, was admitted to Mottahari Health Center[Shiraz], randomly assigned to the case [n=31] and control [n=30] groups. Case group received three lecithin capsules [1200 mg] which contain 420 mg Phosphatidylecoline, daily for six weeks. Subject's weight, Body Mass Index [BMI] and serum lipid concentration were measured at the beginning and the end of six weeks. No significant difference were found in mean weight in case group when compared to control group. Also no significant difference were found in mean BMI in case group when compared to control group. Significantly lower mean serum Total Cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglyceride and significantly higher HDL cholesterol were found in case group. In addition mean serum total cholesterol [P<0.05], LDL cholesterol [P<0.05] and TG [P<0.05] decreased and mean serum HDL-Cholesterol [P<0.05] increases significantly in case group vs. control group. This study showed that lecithin could be considered as effective nutrient useful in dietary treatment of hypercholesterolemia

Effects of soy protein isoflavones on serum lipids, lipoprotein profile and serum glucose of hypercholesterolemic rabbits

The main objective of this research was to determine the effects of soy protein isoflavones on serum lipids, lipoproteins and fasting blood sugar levels in hypercholesterolemic rabbits. Twenty-four male New Zealand rabbits received the basic pellet diet for two weeks and were then placed on a hypercholesterolemic diet [pellets plus 1% cholesterol] for three weeks. After elevation of total cholesterol, the rabbits were randomly allocated into four experimental groups. Groups 1 to 3 received 100g soy protein containing 200mg [SPI+], 100mg [SPI50%] soy protein diet and without isoflavones [SPI-], respectively, for six weeks. The fourth group was kept on the hypercholesterolemic diet [HC]. Findings showed that cholesterol rich diet produced significant increase in total, LDLand HDL-cholesterol concentrations. In SPI+ group these parameters remained unchanged, compared with SPI- and SPI50% groups [P<0.0001]. HDL-cholesterol was significantly elevated after administration of HC diet and remained high [almost three fold] in all soy diets relative to baseline. However, its level was significantly lower in SPI50% compared with SPI-group [p<0.01]. Triglycerides and VLDL concentrations were significantly increased in SPI50% compared with baseline and HC groups [P<0.03]. Fasting blood sugar levels were not changed in all soy treatment groups. These results suggest that intact soy protein isoflavones ameliorate the lipid profile in spite of high-cholesterol intake, but has no obvious effect on blood sugar levels and can therefore be useful in hyperlipidemias especially when cholesterol intake is simultaneously decreased. Moreover, there is no direct doseresponse relationship between soy isoflavone content and its lipid-lowering effect

[Comparison of the effect of a probiotic yoghurt and ordinary yoghurt on serum cholesterol levels in subjects with mild to moderate hypercholesterolemia]

Cardiovascular diseases are the first cause of death in Iran and hypercholesterolemia is one of the most important risk factors. This problem could be partially managed by dietary modifications such as supplementation of diet with dairy products and probiotic bacteria. The aim of this study was to comprise the effect of consuming a probiotic yoghurt and ordinary yoghurt on serum cholesterol levels in mild to moderate hypercholesterolemia. This randomized cross-over trial was conducted on 14 healthy subjects aged 40-65 years with total serum cholesterol 200-300 mg/dl. We asked the subjects to avoid consumption of yoghurt for a two-week pre-study period and add 300 g/day of milk to their diet. Then they were randomly allocated to 2 groups to receive either 300 g of ordinary yoghurt [fermented with S.thermophilus and L.bulgaricus] or probiotic yoghurt [fermented with a starter composed of L.acidophilus and B.lactis plus bacteria in ordinary yoghurt] for 6 weeks as substitution for milk. After a wash-out period of 7 weeks, the cross-over was made [those consuming probiotic yoghurt, changed to ordinary yoghurt and vice versa] and the study lasted for another 6 weeks. Anthropometric measurements, a 3-day dietary recall and blood lipid tests were done at the beginning [after a 2-week elimination period of yoghurt from diet] and at the end of each period. Comparison of weights, BMIs and dietary confounding factors during the period of consuming ordinary yoghurt and probiotic yoghurt, did not show any significant differences. Consumption of probiotic yoghurt in comparison with ordinary yogurt caused a significant decrease in total serum cholesterol [P=0.049]. Comparison of other blood lipid criteria did not show any significant differences between these two periods. Consumption of the yoghurt containing two probiotic bacteria, L.acidophilus and B.lactis, in comparison with ordinary yoghurt causes reduction in total serum cholesterol in mild to moderate hypercholesterolemia

Los fitosteroles: agentes hipocolesterolémicos naturales de índole no farmacológico / Phytosterols: hypocholesterolemic agents of non pharmacological origin

Los fitosteroles son sustancia naturales de origen vegetal cuya estructura es muy similar a la del colesterol. Son muy abundantes en las semillas, frutos y hojas de una gran variedad de vegetales, por los cual están presentes en nuestra dieta en concentraciones variables (160-500 mg/día). Se han identificado más de 25 tipos diferentes de fitosteroles pero el ß-sitosterol, el campesterol y el stigmasterol constituyen más del 95-98 por ciento de los fitosteroles dietarios. Se han descrito numerosas propiedades fisiológicas para los fitosteroles, siendo el efecto hipocolesterolémico el mejor caracterizado y que se observa en individuos con moderada hipercolesterolemia. Este efecto se ejerce sobre los valores de colesterol plamático total y colesterol-LDL, sin afectar los niveles de colesterol-HDL y los triglicéridos sanguíneos. El mecanismo de acción del efecto hipocolesterolémico se relaciona con la acción competitiva que ejercen los fitosteroles en la absorción del colesterol a nivel intestinal. Se les considera muy poco tóxicos, siendo sus niveles de absorción muy pequeños (<0,5 por ciento absorción), sin embargo existe una condición genética que determina la existencia de altos niveles de fitosteroles plasmáticos conocida como fitosterolemia. Se han desarrollado productos, especialmente margarinas, enriquecidas con fitosteroles y cuyo efecto hipocolesterolémico se ha demostrado en diferentes protocolos experimentales. Se discute la importancia nutricional de la presencia de fitosteroles en los aceites comestibles y el impacto en la salud que pueden tener esos aceites

Tratamiento de la hipercolesterolemia revierte la infertilidad masculina: a propósito de 2 pacientes / Treatment of hypercholesterolemia reverts male infertility. Apropos of 2 patients

Se presentaron 2 pacientes que acudieron a consultas por infertilidad, en los que se comprobó astenozoospermia con densidad espermática normal e hiperlipoproteinemia (HLP) del tipo IIa. El tratamiento de la HLP normalizó el espermograma en ambos casos y lograron embarazar a sus respectivas esposas. Se sugirió que el tratamiento y mejoría de la alteración lipídica puede mejorar la calidad del semen y revertir la infertilidad en pacientes con astenozoospermia y HLP tipo IIa, aunque es necesario el estudio de un mayor número de pacientes para hacer conclusiones definitivas

Effect of Aubergiene (Solanum melongena) on Serum and Hepatic Cholesterol and Triglycerides in rats

A beringela (Solanum melongena) tem sido apontada como possuidora da capacidade de reduzir o colesterol sérico. O chá do vegetal vem senso utilizado com este propósito, devido ao interesse na descoberta de formas alternativas para o controle da hipercolesterolemia. No presente trabalho testou-se o efeito do chá de beringela no níveis séricos e hepáticos de colesterol e triglicerídeos em ratos adultos. Ratos Fisher foram divididos em tres grupos: o primeiro recebeu dieta normolipídica ad libitum e água para beber, funcionando como controle; os outros dois receberam dieta hipercolesterolêmica com 30 por cento de óleo vegetal e 1 por cento de colesterol, sendo dada a um destes grupos água para beber, enquanto que o outro recebeu apenas chá de beringela. Após 28 dias os animais foram sacrificados e dosaram-se os níveis de colesterol e triglicerídeos séricos e hepáticos. Os resultados obtidos indicam que, nas condiçöes experimentais utilizadas, o chá de beringela eleva o colesterol sérico, reduz o hepático e tem pouco ou nenhum efeito sobre os triglicerídeos, tanto séricos quanto hepáticos

Eficacia y segurida de altas dosis de simvastatina en pacientes con hipercolesterolemia, la experiencia peruana / Efficacy and safety of dose simvastatin in patients with hypercholesterolemia, the peruvian experience

Los inhibidores de la enzima HMG-CO A reductasa son en la actualida el tratamiento mas efectivo con que contamos para pacientes con hipercolesterolemia,aunque en algunos de estos pacientes el uso de dosis estandares de estas drogas no son suficientes para alcanzar los niveles de LDL colesterol recomnedados por el NCEP, y dosis mayores son deseables.Hemos disenado el presente estudio para evaluar la eficacia y tolerabilida de dosis altas(80 mg) de simvastatina en pacientes con hipercolesterolemia.En diseno aleatorizado y adoble ciego reclutamos 38 pacientes con niveles de LDL colesterol por encima de 160 mg/dl ytrigliceridos por debajo de 350/mg/dl y fueron tratados con simvastatina 40 u 80mg por espacio de 24 semanas.Simvastatina 80mg/dia redujo LDL colesterol por 54.4 por cento,con una reduction significativamente mayor del 20.5 por cento con respecto a simvastatina40 mg;hdh colesterol se incremento en 16 por cento y 15 por cento respectivamente.Ambas dosis fueron bien toleradas y sin deferencia significativa en cuanto a eventos adversos

Efecto comparativo de policosanol con dos inhibidores de la HMG-CoA reductasa en el tratamiento de la hipercolesterolemia tipo II / Comparative effects of policosanol and two HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors on type II hypercholesterolemia

Background: Policosanol is a new cholesterol lowering agent derived from sugar cane. Aim: To compare the cholesterol lowering efficacy of policosanol with HMG CoA inhibitors. Patients and methods: Patients with a LDL cholesterol over 160 mg/dl were studied. If, after 6 weeks of diet, cholesterol persisted elevated, they were doubly blind randomized to receive policosanol 10 mg/day (55 patients), lovastatin 20 mg/day (26 patients) or simvastatin 10 mg/day (25 patients). Serum cholesterol was measured again after 8 weeks of therapy. Results: Initial demographic and laboratory data were similar among treatment groups. A 24 percent LDL cholesterol reduction was obtained with policosanol, compared with a 22 percent reduction with lovastatin and a 15 percent reduction with simvastatin. HDL cholesterol significantly increased in patients on policosanol and did not change in the other treatment groups. Adverse effects of policosanol were mild and unspecific. No changes in hepatic enzymes were observed. Conclusions: Policosanol is a safe and effective cholesterol reducing agent