Single blind placebo controlled study of psyllium fibres to reduce risk of myocardial infarction

ABSTRACT

Recent research studies claim that myocardial infarction as a major cause of morbidity and mortality throughout the world. Among other risk and predisposing factors atherosclerosis is one of the major risk for myocardial infarction. Each 1% increase in the serum cholesterol concentration results in 2 to 3% increase in coronary heart disease risk. By lowering serum 'bad' li-pids, and increasing good lipid, i.e.; HDL - cholesterol, atherosclerosis may be prevented and so the prevention of myocardial infarction ensues. Research study was conducted to examine the effects of Psy Ilium fibres to decrease 'bad'cholesterol [LDL - C, Triglycerides, and Serum Total Cholesterol] and increase good cholesterol [HDL - C] which prevent the risk of myocardial infarction [MI]. It was single blind placebo controlled research study. Forty already diagnosed primary hyperlipidaemic patients were selected from Cardiology OPD ofJinnah Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan. Exclusion criteria were patients suffering from hypothyroidism, renal dysfunction, any hepatic disease. Consent Proforma was designed and got the approval from [Research Ethical Committee of Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi]. After explaining the limitations, consent was obtained from all study participants before they were recruited to the study. They were divided in two groups, 20 patients were on Psy-llium husk fibres, 10 gram daily in divided doses. And 20 patients were kept on placebo as control group. Lipid profile of all participants was estimated at day - o and at day - 90. All other vital functions of patients were also estimated and kept on record. They were advised to visit clinic fortnightly. When results were compiled at the end of this study, it was observed that two patients discontinued taking the drug, due to metallic taste of psyllium fibres. Psyllium decreased serum total cholesterol from 228.27 +/- 4.89 mg/dl to 119.22 +/- 2.30 mg/dl, 159.72 +/- 5.70 to 129.55 +/- 2.81 mg/dl, and increased serum HDL - Cholesterol from 34.61 +/- 1.85 to 36.77 +/- 1.96 mg/dl in three months of treatment. Data were expressed as the mean +/- SD and [t] test was applied to determine statistical significance of results. P - value lesser than 0.05 was the limit of significance. Results of all parameters of lipid profile were significant when paired [t] test was applied for statistical analysis. We concluded from this study that psyllium is an effective agent to maintain lipid profile parameters at normal limits in hyperlipidaemic patients, and normal limits of all lipid parameters play major role in prevention of atherosclerosis and MI