pectins and Arteriosclerosis

Topics: Anticholesteremic Agents; Arteriosclerosis; Cholesterol; Coronary Disease; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Humans; Hypercholesterolemia; Pectins

Topics: Arteriosclerosis; Atherosclerosis; Carbohydrates; Humans; Hypercholesterolemia; Pectins

Several epidemiologic studies found weak protective relations between dietary fiber intake and the risk of cardiovascular disease events. However, few of the studies addressed possible mechanisms of the effect.. In the present study, we estimated relations between the progression of atherosclerosis and the intake of selective dietary fiber fractions. Mediation of the relations by serum lipids was also investigated.. Participants who were free of heart disease and aged 40-60 y were recruited into the cohort (n = 573; 47% women). The intima-media thickness (IMT) of the common carotid arteries was measured ultrasonographically at the baseline examination and at 2 follow-up examinations (n = 500), dietary intakes were assessed with six 24-h recalls (3 at baseline and 3 at the first follow-up examination), and blood samples were analyzed at baseline and at both follow-up examinations.. A significant inverse association was observed between IMT progression and the intakes of viscous fiber (P = 0.05) and pectin (P = 0.01). Correction for measurement error increased the magnitude of these estimated effects. The ratio of total to HDL cholesterol was inversely related to the intakes of total fiber (P = 0.01), viscous fiber (P = 0.05), and pectin (P = 0.01). The magnitude of the association between IMT progression and the intakes of viscous fiber and pectin was attenuated by adjustment for serum lipids.. The intake of viscous fiber, especially pectin, appears to protect against IMT progression. Serum lipids may act as a mediator between dietary fiber intake and IMT progression.

Topics: Adult; Arteriosclerosis; Carotid Artery, Common; Cholesterol; Cohort Studies; Dietary Fiber; Disease Progression; Female; Humans; Los Angeles; Male; Mental Recall; Middle Aged; Pectins; Triglycerides; Tunica Intima; Tunica Media; Ultrasonography; Viscosity

Topics: Arteriosclerosis; Citrus; Humans; Patient Education as Topic; Pectins

Sustained hypercholesterolemia is a known risk factor for development of atherosclerosis. In animal studies, grapefruit pectin fed concurrently with a high-lipid diet inhibits hypercholesterolemia and atherogenesis. The purpose of the present study was to determine if grapefruit pectin affects cholesterol levels and atherogenesis of animals with established hypercholesterolemia. Microswine were fed an atherogenic diet to establish hypercholesterolemia. Plasma cholesterol levels rose rapidly and for 360 days were sustained at levels 6- to 12-fold the normal level. Then, half the microswine, selected at random, were fed a diet in which 3% grapefruit pectin was substituted for cellulose, and the remaining animals received the original diet. Animals were killed 270 days later, and the extent of atherosclerosis was determined. In animals with established hypercholesterolemia, pectin did not lower their cholesterol levels. However, pectin reduced the extent of atherosclerosis in both the aorta and coronary arteries. The mean surface area covered by atherosclerosis in the aorta was 13.6% in the group that did not receive pectin compared with 5.3% in the group that did receive pectin. The mean coronary artery narrowing was 45% without pectin and 24% with pectin. We conclude that pectin may have a direct beneficial effect on atherosclerosis by a mechanism independent of cholesterol levels.

Topics: Animals; Aorta; Aortic Diseases; Arteriosclerosis; Citrus; Coronary Artery Disease; Coronary Vessels; Diet, Atherogenic; Female; Hypercholesterolemia; Pectins; Swine; Swine, Miniature

Dietary fibers comprise a very heterogenous group of indigestible plant compounds. Whereas they exert only little effects on the recovery of the digestible parts of a meal they can modify various digestive processes. Most important seems to be the ability to inhibit digestion and absorption of carbohydrates, which enables better treatment of diabetics. The observation that serum cholesterol can be decreased by certain dietary fibers finds special interest also because of the possible reduction of risk for developing atherosclerosis. The various effects depend upon the physicochemical properties of the different fibers: they comprise the ability to bind water and organic substances, viscosity and cationic-exchange.

Topics: Arteriosclerosis; Cholesterol; Diabetes Mellitus; Dietary Fats; Dietary Fiber; Dietary Proteins; Glucose; Humans; Insulin; Insulin Secretion; Intestinal Absorption; Intestinal Mucosa; Intestine, Small; Ketone Bodies; Obesity; Pectins

Topics: Adult; Aged; Arteriosclerosis; Cholesterol; Fatty Acids, Nonesterified; Humans; Lipids; Male; Middle Aged; Pectins; Phospholipids; Triglycerides

Topics: Arteriosclerosis; Cellulose; Cholesterol; Constipation; Coronary Disease; Diabetes Mellitus; Dietary Fiber; Humans; Obesity; Pectins

Epidemiological data suggest that populations subsisting on high fiber diets are free of a number of the diseases of Western civilization, among them coronary heart disease. Studies in animals and man show that each type of fiber exerts its own specific influence. Thus, in man bran has no effect on serum lipids, but pectin lowers cholesterol levels. In animals fed atherogenic diets, alfalfa and pectin exert some measure of protection, but cellulose does not. To fully understand the mode of action of dietary fiber, it is necessary to ascertain the mechanism(s) of action of each chemical component of that fiber.

Topics: Africa; Animals; Arteriosclerosis; Cellulose; Cholesterol; Diet, Atherogenic; Dietary Fiber; Humans; Pectins; Rabbits

A logical argument can be made for the hypothesis that lack of silicon may be an important aetiological factor in atherosclerosis. As silicic acid or its derivatives, silicon is essential for growth. It is found mainly in connective tissue, where it functions as a cross-linking agent. Unusually high amounts of bound silicon are present in the arterial wall, especially in the intima. Various kinds of dietary fibre have been reported to be effective in preventing experimental models of atherosclerosis, reducing cholesterol and blood-lipid levels, and binding bile acids in vitro. Exceptionally large amounts of silicon (1000 to 25 000 p.p.m.) were found in fibre products of greatly varying origin and chemical composition which were active in these tests. Inactive materials, such as different types of purified cellulose, contained only negligible quantities of the element. It is concluded that silicate-silicon may be the active agent in dietary fibre which affects the development of atherosclerosis. Two out of three samples of bran also had relatively low levels, which could explain why bran does not lower serum-cholesterol. The fact that atherosclerosis has a low incidence in less developed countries may be related to the availability of dietary silicon. Two instances are presented where silicon is reduced by industrial treatment: white flour and refined soy products were much lower in silicon than--their respective crude natural products. The chemical nature of silicon in different types of fibre is not known. It could exist as orthosilic acid, polymeric silicic acid, colloidal silica (opal), dense silica concentrations, or in the form of organically bound derivatives of silicic acid (silanolates). Possible mechanisms of action are discussed.

Topics: Anticholesteremic Agents; Arteriosclerosis; Cellulose; Dietary Fiber; Edible Grain; Flour; Glycine max; Humans; Pectins; Silicon

Topics: Absorption; Arteriosclerosis; Bile Acids and Salts; Cellulose; Cholelithiasis; Cholesterol; Colonic Neoplasms; Constipation; Deoxycholic Acid; Dietary Fiber; Humans; Hypercholesterolemia; Intestinal Absorption; Lipid Metabolism; Lithocholic Acid; Pectins; Water

A highly significant retardation of spontaneous atherosclerosis was observed in 2-year-old cockerels fed on a standard diet supplemented with 5 percent pectin for 18 months. The pectin-fed birds excreted three times as much lipid extract and almost twice as much cholesterol as did the control cockerels fed the standard diet supplemented with 5 percent nonnutritive fiber.

Topics: Animals; Arteriosclerosis; Atherosclerosis; Cellulose; Cholesterol; Diet; Dietary Fiber; Dietary Supplements; Fluids and Secretions; Lipids; Pectins; Pharmacology; Poultry Diseases; Research

Topics: Arteriosclerosis; Gastric Mucins; Heparin; Humans; Hyperlipidemias; Lipids; Mucin 5AC; Pectins