Recently, it has been questioned whether elevated levels of circulating plant sterols increase the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). To date, no definitive conclusions regarding such a relationship have been reached, nor have there been any studies summarizing the factors that contribute to the observed elevations in plant sterol concentrations in plasma. Thus, the purpose of this review is to systematically compare the plant sterol levels of subjects from the general population and to describe factors that contribute to the variations observed. The question of whether elevated plasma concentrations of plant sterols are associated with an increased risk of CHD was also assessed. Results indicate that the key factors accounting for variations in circulating plant sterol concentrations include: apolipoprotein E phenotypes, ATP-binding cassette transporter polymorphisms, use of statin drugs, presence of metabolic syndrome, dietary intake of plant sterols, gender, and analytical techniques used in the measurement of plant sterols in the plasma. An analysis of the studies examining the relationship between circulating levels of plant sterols and CHD risk in non-sitosterolemic populations revealed no clear associations. Furthermore, it was shown that the above-mentioned factors play an important role in determining the levels of plant sterols in plasma. Since these factors may act as potential confounders, they must be controlled for before more solid conclusions can be reached.
Recently, it has been questioned whether elevated levels of circulating plant sterols increase the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). To date, no definitive conclusions regarding such a relationship have been reached, nor have there been any studies summarizing the factors that contribute to the observed elevations in plant sterol concentrations in plasma. Thus, the purpose of this review is to systematically compare the plant sterol levels of subjects from the general population and to describe factors that contribute to the variations observed. The question of whether elevated plasma concentrations of plant sterols are associated with an increased risk of CHD was also assessed. Results indicate that the key factors accounting for variations in circulating plant sterol concentrations include: apolipoprotein E phenotypes, ATP-binding cassette transporter polymorphisms, use of statin drugs, presence of metabolic syndrome, dietary intake of plant sterols, gender, and analytical techniques used in the measurement of plant sterols in the plasma. An analysis of the studies examining the relationship between circulating levels of plant sterols and CHD risk in non-sitosterolemic populations revealed no clear associations. Furthermore, it was shown that the above-mentioned factors play an important role in determining the levels of plant sterols in plasma. Since these factors may act as potential confounders, they must be controlled for before more solid conclusions can be reached.
Background: Consumption of plant sterol (PS) esters lower low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol levels by suppressing intestinal absorption of cholesterol. Commercially available PS are mainly esterified to omega-6 fatty acid (FA), such as sunflower oil (SO) FA. Emerging trends include using other sources such as olive oil (OO) or omega-3 FA from fish oil (FO), known to exert potent hypotriglyceridemic effects. Our objective was to compare the actions of different FA esterified to PS on blood lipids, carotenoid bioavailability as well as inflammatory and coagulation markers.
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