Dietary Phospholipids and Intestinal Cholesterol Absorption

Jeffrey S Cohn,Sally Tandy,Elaine Wat,Alvin Kamili,Rosanna W S Chung

doi:10.3390/nu2020116

Jeffrey S Cohn, Sally Tandy + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/nu2020116

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Journal: Nutrients	Publication Date: Feb 8, 2010
Citations: 242	License type: CC BY 3.0

Affiliation: The Heart Research Institute

Abstract

Experiments carried out with cultured cells and in experimental animals have consistently shown that phospholipids (PLs) can inhibit intestinal cholesterol absorption. Limited evidence from clinical studies suggests that dietary PL supplementation has a similar effect in man. A number of biological mechanisms have been proposed in order to explain how PL in the gut lumen is able to affect cholesterol uptake by the gut mucosa. Further research is however required to establish whether the ability of PLs to inhibit cholesterol absorption is of therapeutic benefit.

Highlights

IntroductionAn increased concentration of cholesterol in the blood (i.e., hypercholesterolemia) is widely recognized as a risk factor for coronary artery disease
An increased concentration of cholesterol in the blood is widely recognized as a risk factor for coronary artery disease
Greater than 50% suppression of cholesterol uptake was observed with the addition of 15 mg (0.8 mM) lecithin, and egg lecithin at a dose of 30mg was found to have a similar effect as a 30 mg dose of liver lecithin (Figure 1)

Summary

Introduction

An increased concentration of cholesterol in the blood (i.e., hypercholesterolemia) is widely recognized as a risk factor for coronary artery disease. Many patients do not reach currently defined treatment goals and there is considerable interest in finding additional ways to reduce plasma and LDL cholesterol levels. This has led to the development of a new family of drugs that inhibits intestinal cholesterol absorption. 15–20 percent [2]; in combination with statins it reduces LDL-C by an additional 20–25% [3] Increasing use of these therapeutic agents has refocussed interest on foods and food components that have the potential to reduce intestinal cholesterol absorption. Different types of phospholipids (PLs) have been shown to inhibit intestinal cholesterol absorption and the aim of this article is to review our current understanding of the effects of dietary PLs on intestinal cholesterol metabolism

Phospholipid Intake in Humans

Phospholipid Digestion and Absorption

Cholesterol Absorption

Phospholipid Effects on Cholesterol Absorption

Mechanisms for the Inhibitory Effect of PL on Cholesterol Absorption

Findings

Summary and Conclusions