Effect of soybean leci-vita product on serum lipids and fatty acid composition in patients with elevated serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels

Abstract

The study was designed to examine the effects of soybean Leci-Vita, product rich in polyunsaturated phospholipids (with 7% lecithin, 17% soy protein) on serum lipids and serum and erythrocyte phospholipid fatty acid composition in patients with different types of hyperlipidemia. 106 patients with isolated hypertriglyceridemia (IHTG), combined hyperlipidemia (CHL) and isolated hypercholesterolemia (IHCH), aged 40-70 years, were given 20g of Leci-Vita powder as a water suspension in a single evening dose during the follow up period of 24 weeks. Patients kept their individual diet relatively constant. Treatment was associated with significant decrease in total cholesterol and triglyceride levels by 18% and 35% respectively. LDL-cholesterol decreased 32% and HDL-cholesterol increased 10%. Our study shows a 38% decrease in LDL-cholesterol in CHL, 32% in IHCH and 8% in IHTG and 18% HDL-cholesterol increase in CHL patients. Triglyceride levels decreased in patients with IHTG and CHL 34% and 26% respectively. Our results show increase in PUFA/SFA ratio in serum phospholipids and increased PUFA n-6 in erythrocyte phospholipids that clearly reflects the dietary linoleic acid content in Leci-Vita. Added to a regular diet, soybean Leci-Vita product significantly reduced total and LDL-cholesterol and triglyceride levels. HDL cholesterol was significantly increased and phospholipid fatty acid content was more favourable as a result of 24-week treatment.