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LDL-cholesterol-lowering effect of a dietary supplement with plant extracts in subjects with moderate hypercholesterolemia

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Abstract

Purpose

Red yeast rice (RYR), sugar cane-derived policosanols (SCdP) and artichoke leaf extracts (ALEs) are currently incorporated alone or in combination into dietary supplements for their potential low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-cholesterol)-lowering effects. Yet, there is no information supporting the efficacy of this association on the reduction in LDL-cholesterol. The main objective of this study was to investigate the effects of a new dietary supplement (DS) with RYR, SCdP and ALEs on LDL-cholesterol.

Methods

In a double-blind, randomized, parallel controlled study, 39 subjects from 21 to 55 years with moderate hypercholesterolemia without drug treatment were assigned to 2 groups and then consumed either a DS containing RYR, SCdP and ALEs or a placebo over a 16-week period. Plasma concentrations of lipids [LDL-cholesterol, total cholesterol (TC), high-density-lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-cholesterol), triacylglycerols (TG)] and plasma levels of vitamins C and E, total polyphenols and malondialdehyde were determined at baseline and after 4, 8, 12 and 16 weeks.

Results

LDL-cholesterol and TC were reduced by, respectively, 21.4 % (95 % CI, −13.3 to −24.9 %, p < 0.001) and 14.1 % (95 % CI, −10.1 to −18.0 %, p < 0.001) at week 16 in the DS group compared with baseline. Similar results were obtained at weeks 4, 8 and 12. TG decreased by 12.2 % after 16 weeks in the DS group (95 % CI: −24.4 to −0.1 %, p < 0.05). For the vitamin E/TC ratio, a difference was observed between groups at week 16 (p < 0.05). Other parameters were not modified.

Conclusions

Daily consumption of this new DS decreased LDL-cholesterol and TC and is therefore an interesting, convenient aid in managing mild to moderate hypercholesterolemia.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank Marion Nowicki and Romain Bott for their expert technical assistance. This work was financed by Laboratoire Lescuyer.

Conflict of interest

Nicolas Ogier, Sébastien L. Peltier and Nicolas Cardinault are employees of the company Laboratoire Lescuyer. Jean-François Lescuyer is the general director of the company. Other authors have no conflicting interests.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratoire Lescuyer, Department of Research, ZAC Belle-Aire Nord, 15 rue le Corbusier, 17440, Aytré, France

    Nicolas Ogier, Jean-François Lescuyer, Sébastien L. Peltier & Nicolas Cardinault

  2. INRA, UMR1260, INSERM 1062, Aix Marseille Université “Nutrition, Obesity and Thrombotic Risk”, Health Campus La Timone, 27 boulevard Jean Moulin, 13385, Marseille Cedex 5, France

    Marie-Josèphe Amiot, Matthieu Maillot & Marie Maraninchi

  3. Biochemistry Department, Centre Technique de Conservation des Produits Agricoles (CTCPA), Site Agroparc, 84911, Avignon Cedex 9, France

    Stéphane Georgé

  4. Centre d’Investigation Clinique (CIC), INSERM-APHM, Hôpital de la Conception, 147 Bd Baille, 13385, Marseille, France

    Cécilia Mallmann & Sophie Morange

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  1. Nicolas Ogier
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  2. Marie-Josèphe Amiot
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Correspondence to Sébastien L. Peltier.

Additional information

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, http://www.clinicaltrials.gov, NCT01354327.

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Ogier, N., Amiot, MJ., Georgé, S. et al. LDL-cholesterol-lowering effect of a dietary supplement with plant extracts in subjects with moderate hypercholesterolemia. Eur J Nutr 52, 547–557 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-012-0357-x

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