Men Classified as Hypo- or Hyperresponders to Dietary Cholesterol Feeding Exhibit Differences in Lipoprotein Metabolism

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the differences that occur within the plasma compartment of normolipidemic men, classified on the basis of their response to prolonged consumption of additional dietary cholesterol. Using a crossover design, 40 men aged 18-57 y were randomly allocated to an egg (640 mg/d additional dietary cholesterol) or placebo group (0 mg/d additional dietary cholesterol), for two 30-d periods, which were separated by a 3-wk washout period. Subjects were classified as hypo- [increase in plasma total cholesterol (TC) of <0.05 mmol/L for each additional 100 mg of dietary cholesterol consumed] or hyperresponders (increase in TC of > or =0.06 mmol/L for each additional 100 mg of dietary cholesterol consumed) on the basis of their plasma reaction to the additional dietary cholesterol provided. Male hyporesponders did not experience an increase in LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) or HDL cholesterol (HDL-C) during the egg period, whereas both lipoproteins were significantly (P < 0.0001 and P < 0.05, respectively) elevated in hyperresponders. Although the LDL/HDL ratio was increased in male hyperresponders after the high cholesterol period, the mean increase experienced by this population was still within National Cholesterol Education Program guidelines. Furthermore, male hyperresponders had higher lecithin cholesterol acyltransferase (P < 0.05) and cholesteryl ester transfer protein (P < 0.05) activities during the egg period, which suggests an increase in reverse cholesterol transport. These data suggest that additional dietary cholesterol does not increase the risk of developing an atherogenic lipoprotein profile in healthy men, regardless of their response classification.

Cholesterol and saturated fat intake determine the effect of polymorphisms at ABCG5/ABCG8 genes on lipid levels in children

“…According to these results, it is currently well documented that although some individuals show a significant response to high dietary cholesterol, with lipid levels increases of more than twofold the mean, others are unresponsive and even have decreasing cholesterol levels. 3,[22][23][24][25] To date, studies based on classic genetic analysis have not explained these results, but our findings will contribute to clarify this issue.…”

Mathematically modelling the dynamics of cholesterol metabolism and ageing

“…Individual differences exist in cholesterol metabolism from one individual to the next (Herron et al, 2003). This is emphasised by DC feeding studies which demonstrate notable differences in the response to DC from one individual to individual.…”

Dietary cholesterol, heart disease risk and cognitive dissonance

“…Numerous analyses have shown that the average weightadjusted plasma cholesterol response to a 100 mg/d increase in dietary cholesterol in a 70 kg individual is an increase in plasma total cholesterol of 2·4 mg/dl (0·062 mM/l) with increases in both the LDL cholesterol (1·9 mg/dl, 0·049 mM/l) and HDL cholesterol (0·4 mg/dl, 0·010 mM/l) (25,(27)(28)(29)(30) . These studies indicate that while adding cholesterol does have a small effect on plasma cholesterol levels, there is little if any change in the LDL:HDL cholesterol ratio, which is also an important determinant of CVD risk (31)(32)(33) . Data also indicate that the changes in LDL cholesterol levels with cholesterol feeding are not due to changes in the number of LDL particles, but rather due to changes in the cholesterol content of these particles.…”