Effects of a soy-protein beverage on plasma lipoproteins in children with familial hypercholesterolemia

Article Abstract:

Many studies have reported that high levels of cholesterol in the blood increase the risk of developing atherosclerosis (accumulation of fatty plaque on the inner lining of the arteries) and heart disease. Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is an inherited condition that results in higher than normal amounts of cholesterol in the blood. Diets low in total fat, saturated fat and cholesterol have been used to treat children with FH, and in some cases have been successful in lowering blood cholesterol by 10 to 20 percent. However, in many such cases, a 10 to 20 percent decrease in blood cholesterol is not enough to bring cholesterol levels into the normal range. Previous studies have shown that certain types of protein may be able to lower blood cholesterol. Soy protein has been reported to decrease blood cholesterol in adults with hypercholesterolemia. To determine if a beverage containing soy protein can lower the blood cholesterol of children with FH, 10 children with FH who were between the ages of 6 and 12 years were studied. The children followed a diet containing 20 percent protein and 28 percent fat. During the first four weeks of the study, a beverage containing soy protein was included in the diet, and during the second four weeks a beverage containing casein (a protein found in cow's milk) was substituted for the soy beverage. Blood samples were taken before and after each four-week diet period. There were no changes between time periods in the blood levels of total cholesterol, low-density-lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, or apolipoproteins. However, following the soy protein diet, the amount of triglycerides (a type of fats found in the blood) and very-low-density-lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol were reduced and the amount of high-density-lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol was increased. These changes are thought to reduce the risk of developing heart disease, according to previous research. It is concluded that soy protein may be beneficial for treating children with FH. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Blood cholesterol, Lipoproteins, Diet therapy, Hypercholesterolemia, Blood lipoproteins, Soybean products, Soy milk, Soymilk, Casein, Hypercholesterolemia in children, Pediatric hypercholesterolemia

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Effects of diets high in saturated fatty acids, canola oil, or safflower oil on platelet function, thromboxane B2 formation, and fatty acid composition of platelet phospholipids

Article Abstract:

Atherosclerosis (the deposition of fatty plaques on blood vessel walls) and clot formation are two main processes underlying coronary heart disease (CHD), the primary cause of death in the US. Epidemiologic studies have linked dietary factors such as fatty acid content of foods to CHD risk factors such as high blood cholesterol levels and platelet aggregation. Platelet activation and aggregation, although important in preventing hemorrhages by participating in clot formation, is also implicated in arterial plaque formation. Thromboxane A2 (TXA2), a hormone made by platelets from arachidonic acid (a fatty acid derived from dietary fatty acids), contributes to platelet activation and aggregation, and this implies that the fatty acid content of platelets can influence platelet function. The function and fatty acid composition of platelets was studied in men who consumed an initial diet high in saturated fatty acids and then shifted to diets containing safflower oil or canola oil for eight weeks. Platelet fatty acid levels reflected dietary fatty acid levels. Arachidonic acid levels decreased by 35 percent in subjects fed canola oil. Platelet aggregation decreased significantly in subjects given either type of oil for three weeks, but returned to normal levels after eight weeks. Levels of TXB2, the product of TXA2, were not different between the two oil groups. Platelet secretion of ATP, another mediator of platelet aggregation, was decreased after eight weeks in subjects given canola but not safflower oil. Indicators of platelet function were most consistently related to changes in arachidonic acid levels. The study indicates that both oils have temporary effects on platelet aggregation, but canola oil seems to have a more persistent effect on platelet function. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Human nutrition, Blood platelets, Essential fatty acids, Essential fatty acids in human nutrition, Canola oil

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