Effects of margarine enriched with plant sterol esters from rapeseed and tall oils on markers of endothelial function, inflammation and hemostasis

Abstract

Background and aims. The sterol profile of rapeseed oil differs from that of tall oil with higher contents of campesterol and brassicasterol. We previously found that margarines providing 2 g/day of sterols from rapeseed or tall oil resulted in similar reductions in LDL cholesterol of 8–9%. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether the consumption of these margarines affected markers of endothelial function, inflammation and hemostasis. Methods. Blood samples were collected from 58 hypercholesterolemic volunteers who completed a double-blinded, randomized, crossover trial. Subjects consumed each of the two sterol margarines and a control non-sterol margarine for 4 weeks separated by one-week washout periods. All the margarines had the same fatty acid composition. Concentrations of vascular cell adhesion molecule-l (VCAM-1), E-selectin, circulating tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (total, tPAI-1; active, PAI-1) were quantified. Results. Rapeseed-sterol margarine reduced E-selectin concentrations compared to the control margarine (p = 0.012) while tall-sterol margarine had no effect. The rapeseed-sterol margarine also reduced tPAI-1 (p = 0.008) compared to the tall-sterol margarine. No significant changes were observed in TNFα and VCAM-1. No association was found between LDL reduction and changes in E-selectin and tPAI-1. Conclusion. Rapeseed-sterol margarine demonstrated favorable effects on vascular risk markers.

Key Words::

• Cardiovascular disease
• plant sterols
• margarine
• inflammation
• plasminogen activator inhibitor
• E-selectin

Acknowledgements

The study was supported in part by a grant from Mills DA, Oslo, Norway. The study sponsors had no role in the collection, analysis and interpretation of data, in the writing of the manuscript or in the decision to submit the manuscript for publication. The authors would like to thank Kirsti Solberg Landsverk for the laboratory analyses.

Contributions of authors

EH participated in the study design and coordination, carried out the study, performed the statistical analyses and helped to draft the manuscript. BK conceived of the study and helped to write the manuscript. ST and JIP participated in the conception and design of the study and helped to write the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Declaration of interest: BK was employed by Mills DA when the study was conducted. The authors report no other conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.