Plasma lipid lowering effects of wheat germ in hypercholesterolemic subjects

Abstract

The present study was performed to investigate the possible effects of wheat germ supplementation on lipid metabolism in humans. Ten free-living adult subjects participated in the study. None was obese or diabetic. They all presented an hypercholesterolemia (from 6.58 to 9.50 mM), associated in 6 over 10 cases to an hypertriglyceridemia (from 1.70 to 5.00 mM). The subjects were studied in three consecutive periods, during which they first were on their usual diet (first week), they then ingested a daily supplement of 30 g wheat germ (4 weeks) and then they returned to their usual basal diet (4 weeks follow-up). Dietary records were obtained for 7 and 3 consecutive days before and during wheat germ supplementation, respectively. Fasting blood samples were taken at the end of each period. After 4 weeks of wheat germ intake, glycemia did not change while total plasma cholesterol significantly decreased (paired Student's t test, p less than or equal to 0.05) from 7.80 to 7.15 mM. LDL and HDL cholesterol values did not show marked changes, but VLDL cholesterol significantly dropped by 40.6%. Thus, the plasma/HDL total cholesterol ratio was significantly lower. Apoprotein B and A1 decreased. In the hypertriglyceridemic subjects, this was accompanied by a significant reduction of plasma triglycerides (1.64 vs. 2.68 mM) and a marked drop of VLDL triglycerides (-51%). Taken as a whole, the present results obtained in humans are very close to those previously obtained in the rat and point out that wheat germ may play a beneficial role in the dietary management of hyperlipidemia.

Long-Term Wheat Germ Intake Beneficially Affects Plasma Lipids and Lipoproteins in Hypercholesterolemic Human Subjects

“…Plasma apolipoproteins (apo) Al (36) and B (37) were assayed by immunonephelometry. The different lipoprotein fractions (VLDL: d a 1.006 kg/L; LDL: 1.006 < d <, 1.063 kg/L; HDL: 1.063 <>d < 1.21 kg/L) were separated from 2 mL of plasma by ultracentrifugation on a KBr discontinuous density gradient (175,000 x g, 15*C, 24 h, in a SW 41 Ti rotor) as previously described (19). Total cholesterol, free cholesterol, triglycérides and phospholipids were then assayed in the different lipoprotein isolated fractions.…”

“…Even lower amounts of raw wheat germ (3.5%) had a hypolipidemic effect in rats (17). More recently, we showed that the daily intake of 30 g of raw wheat germ for 4 wk induced significant decreases in plasma cholesterol and VLDL cholesterol in hypercholesterolemic subjects as well as plasma and VLDL triglycérides in hypertriglyceridemic human subjects (18,19).…”

Can wheat germ have a beneficial effect on human health? A study protocol for a randomised crossover controlled trial to evaluate its health effects

“…There is some evidence to suggest that wheat germ has a beneficial physiological effect in maintaining normal cholesterol levels19 20 and in decreasing potentially pathogenic gastrointestinal microorganisms 21. However, existing studies are scarce and have relevant design limitations, namely small sample size and insufficient information on study design (eg, sample size calculation, allocation concealment and blinding/masking).…”

“…Incorporation of wheat germ in the diet is almost exclusively restricted to animal feeding 14–16. Even so, ingestion of raw wheat germ seems to reduce cholesterol and triglycerides (TG) in rats17 18 and in human subjects with hypercholesterolaemia 1920 In turn, Matteuzzi et al 21 showed that ingestion of commercial wheat germ modifies the human colon microflora by lowering Gram-negative bacteria such as coliforms, while increasing potentially health-promoting bacteria, such as bifidobacteria and lactobacilli.…”

Wheat Bran, Whole Grain, and Food Synergy

“…It is not clear, however, whether the amylolytic digestion affected the bran or germ in any way. Cara et al (15) found improved lipid profile among healthy hypercholesterolemic adults using wheat germ for 4 weeks. One may conclude from this study that a part of the wheat kernel is effective.…”