pectins and Coronary-Disease

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

Fibrinogen is an important risk factor for atherosclerosis, stroke and cardiovascular heart disease (CHD). This risk is increased when associated with a high serum cholesterol. Furthermore, it is also believed that not only fibrinogen concentration, but also the quality of fibrin networks may be an important risk factor for the development of CHD. CHD and stroke as a result of atherosclerosis, plus the related problems of hyperinsulinaemia, hyperlipidaemia and hypertension are strongly related to diet. The "western" diet, defined by low fibre and high fat, sucrose and animal protein intakes, appears to be a major factor leading to death. It has been established that the water-soluble dietary fibre, pectin, significantly decrease the concentration of serum cholesterol levels. Evidence is also accumulating that a diet rich in fibre may protect against diseases associated with raised clotting factors. This investigation studied the possible effects of pectin on fibrinogen levels and fibrin network architecture. Two groups of 10 male hyperlipidaemic volunteers each, received a pectin supplement (15 g/day) or placebo (15 g/day) for 4 weeks. Lipid and fibrin network structure variables were measured at baseline and the end of supplementation. Pectin supplementation caused significant decreases in total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, apolipoprotein A & B and lipoprotein (a). Significant changes in the characteristics of fibrin networks developed in the plasma of the pectin supplemented group indicated that networks were more permeable and had lower tensile strength. These network structures are believed to be less atherogenic. It is suspected that pectin modified network characteristics by a combination of its effects on metabolism and altered fibrin conversion. This confirms the therapeutic possibilities of dietary intervention. Furthermore, this study also showed that changes in plasma fibrinogen need not be present to induce alterations in fibrin network architecture.

Topics: Adult; Cholesterol; Coronary Disease; Dietary Fiber; Double-Blind Method; Fibrin; Fibrinogen; Hemostasis; Humans; Hypercholesterolemia; Lipids; Male; Middle Aged; Molecular Structure; Pectins; Risk Factors

Dietary intake of cholesterol has been linked to coronary heart disease. The effect of grapefruit pectin (Citrus paradisi) on plasma cholesterol, triglycerides, very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and the low-density lipoprotein:high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio was studied. The study design was a 16-week double-blind, crossover (placebo or pectin) using 27 human volunteers screened to be at medium to high risk for coronary heart disease due to hypercholesterolemia. The study did not interfere with the subjects' current diet or lifestyle. Grapefruit pectin supplementation decreased plasma cholesterol 7.6%, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol 10.8%, and the low-density lipoprotein:high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio 9.8%. The other plasma lipid fractions studied showed no significant differences. We conclude that a grapefruit pectin-supplemented diet, without change in lifestyle, can significantly reduce plasma cholesterol.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Chemical Phenomena; Chemistry; Cholesterol; Cholesterol, HDL; Cholesterol, LDL; Cholesterol, VLDL; Citrus; Coronary Disease; Double-Blind Method; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Pectins; Risk Factors; Triglycerides

Topics: Cholesterol; Cholesterol, HDL; Coronary Disease; Diabetes Mellitus; Humans; Lipid Metabolism; Lipids; Pectins; Triglycerides

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

Topics: Cellulose; Coronary Disease; Diet; Diet, Atherogenic; Humans; Lignin; Lipids; Pectins