Xuezhikang, an extract of cholestin, protects endothelial function through antiinflammatory and lipid-lowering mechanisms in patients with coronary heart disease.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Endothelial dysfunction is associated with inflammation and postprandial hypertriglyceridemia. Xuezhikang, an extract of Cholestin, a dietary supplement, has lipid-modulating and antiinflammatory effects. We explored the effects of xuezhikang on endothelial function and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD).

METHODS AND RESULTS:

We prospectively randomized 50 CHD patients to xuezhikang 1200 mg/d or placebo for 6 weeks. Fasting hs-CRP concentrations, flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD) at 0 and 4 hours, and lipid parameters at 0, 2, 4, and 6 hours were monitored after a high-fat meal (800 calories; 50 g fat) in all patients. All patients underwent a high-fat meal test at the beginning of the study and after 6 weeks of treatment. Postprandial FMD was significantly worse at 4 hours after a high-fat meal (P<0.05), and this was associated with the area under the triglyceride curve (TG-AUC) (r=0.345, P<0.01). After 6 weeks of xuezhikang, fasting hs-CRP levels and TG-AUC (P<0.001 for each) decreased. Furthermore, preprandial and postprandial FMD significantly improved (P<0.001). There were no significant changes in serum lipids and FMD in the placebo arm. In multivariable regression analysis, changes in TG-AUC and fasting hs-CRP levels were predictive of improvement in preprandial FMD (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS:

Xuezhikang effectively improved preprandial and postprandial endothelial function through its potent antiinflammatory and lipid-lowering effects.

• Authors: Shui Ping Zhao, Ling Liu, Yan Chun Cheng, Mehdi H Shishehbor, Ming Hui Liu, Dao Quan Peng, Yu Ling Li
• Journal: Circulation (Circulation) Vol. 110 Issue 8 Pg. 915-20 (Aug 24 2004) ISSN: 1524-4539 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 15313947 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
• Biological Products
• Biomarkers
• Cardiovascular Agents
• Dietary Fats
• Drugs, Chinese Herbal
• Hypolipidemic Agents
• Triglycerides
• red yeast rice
• xuezhikang
• C-Reactive Protein

Topics

• Angina Pectoris (blood, complications, drug therapy, physiopathology)
• Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal (isolation & purification, pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Biological Products (chemistry)
• Biomarkers
• Brachial Artery (drug effects)
• C-Reactive Protein (analysis)
• Cardiovascular Agents (therapeutic use)
• Dietary Fats (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Drugs, Chinese Herbal (isolation & purification, pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Endothelium, Vascular (drug effects, physiopathology)
• Fasting (blood)
• Female
• Humans
• Hypertriglyceridemia (blood, chemically induced, complications, drug therapy)
• Hypolipidemic Agents (isolation & purification, pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Postprandial Period (drug effects)
• Prospective Studies
• Treatment Outcome
• Triglycerides (blood)
• Vasodilation (drug effects)