Hypocholesterolemic effects of hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC) consumed with versus between meals
Article
Maki, K, Davidson, MH, O'Mullane, J et al. (1998). Hypocholesterolemic effects of hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC) consumed with versus between meals
. FASEB JOURNAL, 12(5),
Maki, K, Davidson, MH, O'Mullane, J et al. (1998). Hypocholesterolemic effects of hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC) consumed with versus between meals
. FASEB JOURNAL, 12(5),
HPMC is a semi-synthetic food gum which forms viscous gels in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and is resistant to digestion and fermentation. Placebo-controlled trials have shown that consuming HPMC significantly lowers LDL cholesterol (LDL-C). The present randomized, open-label, parallel-group study was designed to examine the lipid-lowering efficacy of 5 g/d HPMC (2.5 g bid) consumed with or between meals among 52 free-living men with primary mild-to-moderate hypercholesterolemia. Compared to baseline, LDL-C was 12.8% and 7.7% lower after 14 days of treatment in the with- and between-meals groups, respectively (both p<0.01). Mean lipid responses did not differ statistically; but all subjects in the with-meals group had some LDL-C reduction; whereas 1/5 of the between-meals subjects had end-of-study LDL-C values above baseline. HDL-C decreased 2-4% (n.s.), and the LDL-C/HDL-C ratio declined 6-8% (p<0.01) in both groups. Mild-to-moderate GI side effects occurred in 27% and 56% of the bewteen- and with-meal subjects, respectively (p<0.05). These results confirm that HPMC is efficacious and well-tolerated at 2.5 g bid, and suggest that maximal LDL-C lowering may occur when taken with meals.
