薬理と治療

Abstract

Objectives We investigated the effect of test chocolate containing plant sterol on the serum cholesterol levels in subjects with borderline-high cholesterol or mild hypercholesterolemia. Methods Eighty nine subjects with borderline-high cholesterol or mild hypercholesterolemia(serum total cholesterol;200-240 mg/dL, serum LDL cholesterol;120-160 mg/dL)were randomly divided into four groups(a placebo group, chocolate containing 400 mg/day plant sterol group, chocolate containing 800 mg/day plant sterol group, chocolate containing 1200 mg/day plant sterol group, respectively). All groups took each chocolate(17.2 g)every day for 8 weeks.Results In 1200 mg/day group, average LDL cholesterol level at 8 weeks was significantly lower than that at baseline. Moreover, average LDL cholesterol level at 8 weeks was significantly lower than that of the placebo group. Any severe adverse effect was not observed in all the experimental groups. Conclusions The results suggest that chocolate containing 1200 mg/day plant sterol is useful for the reduction of LDL cholesterol levels without significant adverse effects in subjects with borderline-high cholesterol or with mild hypercholesterolemia(serum total cholesterol;200-240 mg/dL, serum LDL cholesterol;120-160 mg/dL)