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Journal of Atherosclerosis and... Oct 2023
Topics: Humans; Cholesterol; Biomarkers; Sitosterols; Intestinal Absorption; Phytosterols
PubMed: 36709995
DOI: 10.5551/jat.ED225 -
Alzheimer's Research & Therapy Mar 2024Studies have suggested that blood circulating phytosterols, plant-derived sterols analogous to cholesterol, were associated with blood lipid levels and the risk of...
BACKGROUND
Studies have suggested that blood circulating phytosterols, plant-derived sterols analogous to cholesterol, were associated with blood lipid levels and the risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD). This Mendelian randomization (MR) study is performed to determine the causal effect of circulating phytosterols on AD and PD and evaluate the mediation effect of blood lipids.
METHODS
Leveraging genome-wide association studies summary-level data for phytosterols, blood lipids, AD, and PD, univariable and multivariable MR (MVMR) analyses were conducted. Four types of phytosterols (brassicasterol, campesterol, sitosterol, and stigmasterol), three blood lipids parameters (high-density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL-C], non-HDL-C, and triglyceride), two datasets for AD and PD were used. Inverse-variance weighted method was applied as the primary analysis, and false discovery rate method was used for adjustment of multiple comparisons.
RESULTS
Using the largest AD dataset, genetically proxied higher levels of stigmasterol (OR = 0.593, 95%CI = 0.431-0.817, P = 0.004) and sitosterol (OR = 0.864, 95%CI = 0.791-0.943, P = 0.004) significantly correlated with a lower risk of AD. No significant associations were observed between all four types of phytosterols levels and PD. MVMR estimates showed that the above causal associations were missing after integrating the blood lipids as exposures. Sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of these associations, with no evidence of pleiotropy and heterogeneity.
CONCLUSION
The study supports a potential beneficial role of blood stigmasterol and sitosterol in reducing the risk of AD, but not PD, which is dependent on modulating blood lipids. These insights highlight circulating stigmasterol and sitosterol as possible biomarkers and therapeutic targets for AD.
Topics: Humans; Sitosterols; Stigmasterol; Alzheimer Disease; Genome-Wide Association Study; Parkinson Disease; Phytosterols; Cholesterol; Lipids
PubMed: 38461353
DOI: 10.1186/s13195-024-01424-9 -
TAG. Theoretical and Applied Genetics.... Jan 2016Identification of QTL for phytosterol content, oil content, fatty acids content, protein content of defatted meal, and seed weight by multiple interval mapping in a...
Identification of QTL for phytosterol content, oil content, fatty acids content, protein content of defatted meal, and seed weight by multiple interval mapping in a Brassica napus DH population. Phytosterols are minor seed constituents in oilseed rape which have recently drawn wide-interest from the food and nutrition industry due to their health benefit in lowering LDL cholesterol in humans. To understand the genetic basis of phytosterol content and its relationship with other seed quality traits in oilseed rape, QTL mapping was performed in a segregating DH population derived from the cross of two winter oilseed rape varieties, Sansibar and Oase, termed SODH population. Both parental lines are of canola quality which differ in phytosterol and oil content in seed. A genetic map was constructed for SODH population based on a total of 1638 markers organized in 23 linkage groups and covering a map length of 2350 cM with a mean marker interval of 2.0 cM. The SODH population and the parental lines were cultivated at six environments in Europe and were phenotyped for phytosterol content, oil content, fatty acids content, protein content of the defatted meal, and seed weight. Multiple interval mapping identified between one and six QTL for nine phytosterol traits, between two and six QTL for four fatty acids, five QTL for oil content, four QTL for protein content of defatted meal, and three QTL for seed weight. Colocalizations of QTL for different traits were more frequently observed than individual isolated QTL. Major QTL (R (2) ≥ 25%) were all located in the A genome, and the possible candidate genes were investigated by physical localization of the QTL to the reference genome sequence of Brassica rapa.
Topics: Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism Analysis; Brassica napus; Chromosome Mapping; Crosses, Genetic; Fatty Acids; Genetic Linkage; Genetic Markers; Genetic Variation; Haploidy; Microsatellite Repeats; Phenotype; Phytosterols; Plant Oils; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; Quantitative Trait Loci; Sequence Analysis, DNA
PubMed: 26518571
DOI: 10.1007/s00122-015-2621-y -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Sep 2023Plant sterols (PS) are cholesterol-like terpenoids widely spread in the kingdom Plantae. Being the target of extensive research for more than a century, PS have topped... (Review)
Review
Plant sterols (PS) are cholesterol-like terpenoids widely spread in the kingdom Plantae. Being the target of extensive research for more than a century, PS have topped with evidence of having beneficial effects in healthy subjects and applications in food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. However, many gaps in several fields of PS's research still hinder their widespread practical applications. In fact, many of the mechanisms associated with PS supplementation and their health benefits are still not fully elucidated. Furthermore, compared to cholesterol data, many complex PS chemical structures still need to be fully characterized, especially in oxidized PS. On the other hand, PS molecules have also been the focus of structural modifications for applications in diverse areas, including not only the above-mentioned but also in e.g., drug delivery systems or alternative matrixes for functional foods and fats. All the identified drawbacks are also superimposed by the need of new PS sources and technologies for their isolation and purification, taking into account increased environmental and sustainability concerns. Accordingly, current and future trends in PS research warrant discussion.
Topics: Humans; Phytosterols; Cholesterol; Functional Food; Terpenes
PubMed: 37764302
DOI: 10.3390/molecules28186526 -
World Journal of Microbiology &... Aug 2022Steroidal resource occupies a vital proportion in the pharmaceutical industry attributing to their important therapeutic effects on fertility, anti-inflammatory and... (Review)
Review
Steroidal resource occupies a vital proportion in the pharmaceutical industry attributing to their important therapeutic effects on fertility, anti-inflammatory and antiviral activities. Currently, microbial transformation from phytosterol has become the dominant strategy of steroidal drug intermediate synthesis that bypasses the traditional chemical route. Mycobacterium sp. serve as the main industrial microbial strains that are capable of introducing selective functional modifications of steroidal intermediate, which has become an indispensable platform for steroid biomanufacturing. By reviewing the progress in past two decades, the present paper concentrates mainly on the microbial rational modification aspects that include metabolic pathway editing, key enzymes engineering, material transport pathway reinforcement, toxic metabolic intermediates removal and byproduct reconciliation. In addition, progress on omics analysis and direct genetic manipulation are summarized and classified that may help reform the industrial hosts with more efficiency. The paper provides an insightful present for steroid biomanufacturing especially on the current trends and prospects of mycobacteria.
Topics: Metabolic Engineering; Metabolic Networks and Pathways; Mycobacterium; Phytosterols; Steroids
PubMed: 35974205
DOI: 10.1007/s11274-022-03369-3 -
Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical... 2015Consumption of plant sterols/ stanols has long been demonstrated to reduce plasma cholesterol levels. The objective of this review is to demonstrate the lipid-lowering... (Review)
Review
Consumption of plant sterols/ stanols has long been demonstrated to reduce plasma cholesterol levels. The objective of this review is to demonstrate the lipid-lowering activity and anti-atherogenic effects of natural and semi-synthetic plant sterols/ stanols based on evidence from cell-culture studies, animal studies and clinical trials. Additionally, this review highlights certain molecular mechanisms by which plant sterols/ stanols lower plasma cholesterol levels with a special emphasis on factors that affect the cholesterol-lowering activity of plant sterols/stanols. The crystalline nature and the poor oil solubility of these natural products could be important factors that limit their cholesterol-lowering efficiency. Several attempts have been made to improve the cholesterol-lowering activity by enhancing the bioavailability of crystalline sterols and stanols. Approaches involved reduction of the crystal size and/or esterification with fatty acids from vegetable or fish oils. However, the most promising approach in this context is the chemical modification of plant sterols /stanols into water soluble disodium ascorbyl phytostanyl phosphates analogue by esterification with ascorbic acid. This novel semi-synthetic stanol derivative has improved efficacy over natural plant sterols/ stanols and can provide additional benefits by combining the cholesterol-lowering properties of plant stanols with the antioxidant potential of ascorbic acid. This article is open to POST-PUBLICATION REVIEW. Registered readers (see "For Readers") may comment by clicking on ABSTRACT on the issue's contents page.
Topics: Animals; Anticholesteremic Agents; Ascorbic Acid; Atherosclerosis; Cholesterol; Humans; Lipids; Phytosterols; Phytotherapy; Solubility
PubMed: 26626241
DOI: 10.18433/j3gc84 -
Nutrients Jun 2022Dietary cholesterol has been suggested to increase the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Phytosterols, present in food or phytosterol-enriched products, can reduce...
Dietary Plant Sterols and Phytosterol-Enriched Margarines and Their Relationship with Cardiovascular Disease among Polish Men and Women: The WOBASZ II Cross-Sectional Study.
Dietary cholesterol has been suggested to increase the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Phytosterols, present in food or phytosterol-enriched products, can reduce cholesterol available for absorption. The present study aimed to investigate the association between habitual intake of total and individual plant sterols (β-sitosterol, campesterol, and stigmasterol) or a diet combined with phytosterol-enriched products and CVD in a cross-section of Polish adults, participants of the Multicenter National Health Survey II (WOBASZ II). Among men (n = 2554), median intakes of plant sterols in terciles ranged between 183−456 mg/d and among women (n = 3136), 146−350 mg/d in terciles. The intake of phytosterols, when consumed with food containing phytosterols, including margarine, ranged between 184−459 mg/d for men and 147−352 mg/d for women. Among both men and women, beta-sitosterol intake predominated. Plant sterol intake was lower among both men and women with CVD (p = 0.016) compared to those without CVD. Diet quality, as measured by the Healthy Diet Index (HDI), was significantly higher in the third tercile of plant sterol intake for both men and women and the entire study group (p < 0.0001). This study suggests that habitual dietary intake of plant sterols may be associated with a lower chance of developing CVD, particularly in men.
Topics: Adult; Cardiovascular Diseases; Cross-Sectional Studies; Diet; Female; Humans; Male; Margarine; Phytosterols; Poland
PubMed: 35807845
DOI: 10.3390/nu14132665 -
BioMed Research International 2015Squalene is a natural dehydrotriterpenic hydrocarbon (C30H50) with six double bonds, known as an intermediate in the biosynthesis of phytosterol or cholesterol in plants... (Review)
Review
Squalene is a natural dehydrotriterpenic hydrocarbon (C30H50) with six double bonds, known as an intermediate in the biosynthesis of phytosterol or cholesterol in plants or animals. We have briefly reviewed the natural sources for squalene and focused on the main methods and techniques to obtain and to determine it. Some of its applications in different fields of human activity are also mentioned.
Topics: Animals; Biological Factors; Cholesterol; Humans; Phytosterols; Squalene
PubMed: 25695064
DOI: 10.1155/2015/367202 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) May 2018Genus L. belongs to the family Asclepiadaceae, which comprise more than 200 species distributed worldwide. In Chinese medical practice, numerous drugs (such as tablets... (Review)
Review
Genus L. belongs to the family Asclepiadaceae, which comprise more than 200 species distributed worldwide. In Chinese medical practice, numerous drugs (such as tablets and powders) containing different parts of plants of this genus are used to treat snake bites, bruises, osteoblasts, rheumatoid arthritis and tumors. A search for original articles published on the cynanchum genus was performed by using several resources, including Flora of China Official Website and various scientific databases, such as PubMed, SciFinder, the Web of Science, Science Direct, and China Knowledge Resource Integrated (CNKI). Advances in the botanical, ethnomedicinal, phytochemical, and pharmacological studies of this genus are reviewed in this paper. Results showed that more than 440 compounds, including C21 steroids, steroidal saponins, alkaloids, flavonoids and terpene, have been isolated and identified from plants up to now. In vivo and in vitro studies have shown that plants possess an array of biological activities, including anti-tumor, neuroprotective and anti-fungal effects. Popular traditional prescription of sp. was also summed up in this paper. However, many species have received little or no attention. Moreover, few reports on the clinical use and toxic effects of sp. are available. Further attention should be focused on the study of these species to gather information on their respective toxicology data and relevant quality-control measures and clinical value of the crude extracts, active compounds, and bioactive metabolites from this genus. Further research on sp. should be conducted, and bioactivity-guided isolation strategies should be emphasized. In addition, systematic studies of the chemical composition of plants should be enhanced.
Topics: Animals; Antifungal Agents; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; Cynanchum; Drugs, Chinese Herbal; Ethnobotany; Ethnopharmacology; Flavonoids; Humans; Medicine, Traditional; Molecular Structure; Neuroprotective Agents; Phytochemicals; Phytosterols
PubMed: 29772722
DOI: 10.3390/molecules23051194 -
Journal of AOAC International 2015Phytosterols (PS) have long been recognized for their cholesterol-lowering action, however, recent work has highlighted triglyceride (TG)-lowering responses to PS that... (Review)
Review
Phytosterols (PS) have long been recognized for their cholesterol-lowering action, however, recent work has highlighted triglyceride (TG)-lowering responses to PS that may have been overlooked in previous human interventions and mechanistic animal model studies. This review assesses the current state of knowledge regarding the effect of dietary PS supplementation on blood TG concentrations by examining the average therapeutic response, potential mechanisms, and metabolic and genetic factors that may contribute to inter-individual variability. Data from human intervention trials demonstrates that, compared to baseline concentrations, PS supplementation results in a variable TG-lowering response ranging from 0.8 to 28%. It is evident that hypertriglyceridemic individuals (>1.7 mmol/L) have a greater TG-lowering response to PS (11-28%) than subjects with normal plasma TG concentrations (0.8-7%). Although a genetic basis for the variable TG-lowering effects of PS is probable, there are only limited studies to draw on. The available data suggest that polymorphisms in the apolipoprotein E (apoE) gene may affect responsiveness, with PS-induced reductions in TG more readily evident in apoE2 than apoE3 or E4 subjects. Although only a minimal number of animal model studies have been conducted to specifically examine the mechanisms whereby PS may reduce blood TG concentrations, it appears that there may be multiple mechanisms involved including interruption of intestinal fatty acid absorption and modulation of hepatic lipogenesis and very low density lipoprotein packaging and secretion. In summary, the available data suggest that PS may be an effective therapy to lower blood TG, particularly in hypertriglyceridemic individuals. However, before PS can be widely recommended as a TG-lowering therapy, studies that are specifically powered and designed to fully access therapeutic responses and the mechanisms involved are required.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Hypolipidemic Agents; Phytosterols; Plants; Triglycerides
PubMed: 25941890
DOI: 10.5740/jaoacint.SGERideout