Interactions of Oxysterols with Atherosclerosis Biomarkers in Subjects with Moderate Hypercholesterolemia and Effects of a Nutraceutical Combination (Bifidobacterium longum BB536, Red Yeast Rice Extract) (Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study)

• Published in: Nutrients Vol. 13; no. 2; p. 427
• Main Authors: Cicolari, Stefania, Pavanello, Chiara, Olmastroni, Elena, Puppo, Marina Del, Bertolotti, Marco, Mombelli, Giuliana, Catapano, Alberico L., Calabresi, Laura, Magni, Paolo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 28.01.2021; MDPI
• Subjects: Analysis; Atherosclerosis; Bifidobacterium longum; Biological markers; Biomarkers; Cholesterol; Cytochrome; design; Diabetes; dosage; Double-blind studies; Functional foods; Functional foods & nutraceuticals; gas chromatography; Glucose; high density lipoprotein cholesterol; Homeostasis; Hypercholesterolemia; Hypertension; Hypotheses; Insulin resistance; Lipids; lovastatin; low density lipoprotein cholesterol; Low density lipoproteins; mass spectrometry; Metabolism; Metabolites; oxysterols; Physiology; Plasma; red yeast rice; risk; Risk factors; Sample size; Software; Statistical analysis; Type 2 diabetes; visceral fat; United States > US; Italy; 25-OHC; probiotic; oxysterols; cholesterol metabolism; nutraceutical; 24-OHC; cardiovascular risk; monacolin K; 27-OHC; hypercholesterolemia
• ISSN: 2072-6643; 2072-6643
• DOI: 10.3390/nu13020427

Background: Oxysterol relationship with cardiovascular (CV) risk factors is poorly explored, especially in moderately hypercholesterolaemic subjects. Moreover, the impact of nutraceuticals controlling hypercholesterolaemia on plasma levels of 24-, 25- and 27-hydroxycholesterol (24-OHC, 25-OHC, 27-OHC) is unknown. Methods: Subjects (n = 33; 18–70 years) with moderate hypercholesterolaemia (low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C:): 130–200 mg/dL), in primary CV prevention as well as low CV risk were studied cross-sectionally. Moreover, they were evaluated after treatment with a nutraceutical combination (Bifidobacterium longum BB536, red yeast rice extract (10 mg/dose monacolin K)), following a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled design. We evaluated 24-OHC, 25-OHC and 27-OHC levels by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis. Results: 24-OHC and 25-OHC were significantly correlated, 24-OHC was correlated with apoB. 27-OHC and 27-OHC/total cholesterol (TC) were higher in men (median 209 ng/mL and 77 ng/mg, respectively) vs. women (median 168 ng/mL and 56 ng/mg, respectively); 27-OHC/TC was significantly correlated with abdominal circumference, visceral fat and, negatively, with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). Triglycerides were significantly correlated with 24-OHC, 25-OHC and 27-OHC and with 24-OHC/TC and 25-OHC/TC. After intervention, 27-OHC levels were significantly reduced by 10.4% in the nutraceutical group Levels of 24-OHC, 24-OHC/TC, 25-OHC, 25-OHC/TC and 27-OHC/TC were unchanged. Conclusions: In this study, conducted in moderate hypercholesterolemic subjects, we observed novel relationships between 24-OHC, 25-OHC and 27-OHC and CV risk biomarkers. In addition, no adverse changes of OHC levels upon nutraceutical treatment were found.