Red yeast rice improves lipid pattern, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, and vascular remodeling parameters in moderately hypercholesterolemic Italian subjects

Middle-Term Dietary Supplementation with Red Yeast Rice Plus Coenzyme Q10 Improves Lipid Pattern, Endothelial Reactivity and Arterial Stiffness in Moderately Hypercholesterolemic Subjects

“…The observed improvement of cholesterolemia is in line with what was previously reported by our research group after a shorter period of supplementation with the same combined nutraceutical [20] . The positive effects induced by monacolins on LDL-C serum concentrations have been confirmed in a recently published systematic review and meta-analysis that analyzed 20 studies testing red yeast rice against placebo, observing that the hypocholesterolemic effect of red yeast rice on LDL-C concentration was comparable to that of statins (though the methods used to assess the studies' safety profile were considered mostly unsatisfactory) [29] .…”

“…Finally, we have not measured the possible changes of signaling molecules such as bradykinin, adenosine, vascular endothelial growth factor, serotonin, or NO synthase, also related to endothelial function, but we limited our observation to the instrumental investigation of vascular parameters. However, in a previous trial on the same combined nutraceutical, we reported that it was able to significantly improve the level of hsCRP and matrix metalloproteinases levels, also associated to endothelial dysfunction [20] . The main strength and novelty of our study is to have tested the middle-term effect of monacolins plus Coenzyme Q10 at the same time on endothelial function and arterial stiffness, both related to vascular health and predictors of cardiovascular disease events.…”

Berberis aristata/Silybum marianum fixed combination (Berberol®) effects on lipid profile in dyslipidemic patients intolerant to statins at high dosages: A randomized, placebo-controlled, clinical trial

“…In the latest years relatively large number of dietary supplements and nutraceuticals have been studied for their supposed or demonstrated ability to reduce cholesterolemia in humans (Cicero et al 2008(Cicero et al , 2012. These supplements include soluble fibers, phytosterols, soy proteins (Cicero et al, 2004), omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (Derosa et al, 2011(Derosa et al, , 2012a, red yeast rice (Cicero et al, 2013), policosanols, berberine both alone (Derosa et al, 2012b(Derosa et al, , 2013a or in combination with Silybum marianum (Derosa et al, 2013b,c), and garlic extracts. In particular, Berberis aristata acts up-regulating LDL-receptor (LDL-R) expression independent of sterol regulatory element binding proteins, but dependent on extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) activation leading to total cholesterol (TC) and LDL-C reduction of about 30 and 25%, respectively (Kong et al 2004).…”

Statin Alternatives: A Review of Over-the-Counter Lipid-Lowering Supplements

“…36 Each course lasted 4 weeks. The investigators administered a red yeast rice formulation that was equivalent to 10 mg of monacolin K daily during the treatment course.…”