The Effects of Plant Stanol Ester Containing Yogurt on Oxidative Stress in Mild-Moderate Hypercholesterolemic Individuals

Abstract

Aim: The main aim of the current study was to examine the effects of plant stanol esters, which are well known with their cholesterol lowering effects, on antioxidant capacity and certain oxidative stress markers.

Subjects and Method: This study was conducted on 8 hypercholesterolemia patients whose serum LDL cholesterol level was significantly decreased after plant stanol ester containing yoghurt consumption for 4 weeks and another 8 hypercholesterolemia patients whose LDL cholesterol levels stayed stable after consumption of placebo yoghurts. During the study the patients were requested not to change their lifestyles and dietary habits. In addition to serum lipid levels, serum total antioxidant capacity, oxidized LDL and 8 prostoglandin F2α levels of the patients were compared before and 4 weeks after the intervention period.

Results: As a result of the study, serum total and LDL cholesterol levels were significantly decreased in patients who consumed plant stanol ester containing yoghurt for 4 weeks. However, the decrease in serum lipid levels did not reflect to antioxidant capacity and oxidative stress biomarkers.

Conclusion: It has been determined that consumption of plant stanol ester containing yoghurt in patients with mild to moderate hypercholesterolemia for 4 weeks have lowered serum total and LDL cholesterol levels but this decrease does not have a statistically significant effect on serum antioxidant capacity and oxidative stress biomarkers.