A citrus extract containing flavonoids and ascorbic acid was used as a
supplement to investigate its
effect on lipids in hypercholesterolemic hamsters. Ascorbic acid
or the flavonoids were without
effect except that ascorbate did significantly raise HDL. After 1
month of feeding, the citrus extract
plus ascorbic acid synergistically caused a significant reduction of
77%, 66%, and 40% in plasma
total cholesterol, LDL + VLDL, and triglycerides, respectively, in
comparison to the control group.
The extract was also a synergistic inhibitor of in vitro cupric
ion LDL + VLDL oxidation compared
with ascorbic acid or the flavonoids alone. In a second 10-week
hamster study, citrus extract plus
ascorbate also significantly lowered plasma lipids, lipid peroxides,
and ex vivo LDL + VLDL
oxidizability vs a control group. Citrus extract plus ascorbate
strongly inhibited atherosclerosis,
and there was a significant correlation between several indices of
oxidative susceptibility and
atherosclerosis.
Keywords: Lipids; atherosclerosis; flavonoids; lipid peroxidation;
hamster
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