Title:Phytosterols and Inflammation
VOLUME: 26 ISSUE: 37
Author(s):Gemma Vilahur, Soumaya Ben-Aicha, Elisa Diaz-Riera, Lina Badimon and Teresa Padro*
Affiliation:Cardiovascular Program ICCC, Research Institute - Hospital Santa Creu i Sant Pau, IIB-Sant Pau, Barcelona, Cardiovascular Program ICCC, Research Institute - Hospital Santa Creu i Sant Pau, IIB-Sant Pau, Barcelona, Cardiovascular Program ICCC, Research Institute - Hospital Santa Creu i Sant Pau, IIB-Sant Pau, Barcelona, Cardiovascular Program ICCC, Research Institute - Hospital Santa Creu i Sant Pau, IIB-Sant Pau, Barcelona, Cardiovascular Program ICCC, Research Institute - Hospital Santa Creu i Sant Pau, IIB-Sant Pau, Barcelona
Keywords:Phytosterols, inflammation, oxidative stress, LDL, cholesterol, CRP, cytokines.
Abstract:Besides the well-characterized effect of foods and supplements enriched with plant
sterols/stanols on serum LDL-C concentrations, evidence is now emerging that phytosterols
exert beneficial effects on non-lipid variables such as inflammatory and oxidative stress
markers, coagulation parameters and endothelial function. This makes sterols and stanols an
attractive alternative for dietary interventions in cardiovascular disease prevention, particularly
in populations at low or medium risk. This review aims to summarize the current knowledge
derived from experimental studies and human data on the anti-inflammatory effects of
phytosterols/stanols and their relevance in promoting atheroprotection and preventing cardiovascular
disease. The anti-inflammatory effects induced by plant sterols/stanols have been
demonstrated in in vitro studies and in experimental animal models. However, not all the
beneficial effects seen at an experimental level have translated into clinical benefit. Indeed,
clinical studies that evaluate the association between phytosterols consumption and inflammatory
variables (CRP and cytokines) are inconsistent and have not yet provided a solid answer.
Plant sterols have been proposed as useful adjuncts to statin therapy to further reduce the risk
of cardiovascular disease. However, there is limited available data and more research needs to
be done.
