Intake of 3 Eggs per Day When Compared to a Choline Bitartrate Supplement, Downregulates Cholesterol Synthesis without Changing the LDL/HDL Ratio.

Bruno Lemos,Christopher Blesso,Isabel Medina-Vera,Maria Fernandez

doi:10.3390/nu10020258

Bruno Lemos, Christopher Blesso + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/nu10020258

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Abstract

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk is associated with high concentrations of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). The impact of dietary cholesterol on plasma lipid concentrations still remains a concern. The effects of egg intake in comparison to choline bitartrate supplement was studied in a young, healthy population. Thirty participants were enrolled for a 13-week intervention. After a 2-week run-in period, subjects were randomized to consume either 3 eggs/day or a choline bitartrate supplement (~400 mg choline for both treatments) for 4-weeks each. After a 3-week washout period, they were allocated to the alternate treatment. Dietary records, plasma lipids, apolipoproteins (apo) concentrations, and peripheral blood mononuclear cell expression of regulatory genes for cholesterol homeostasis were assessed at the end of each intervention. Dietary intakes of saturated and monounsaturated fat were higher with the consumption of eggs compared to the choline period. In addition, higher plasma concentrations of total cholesterol (7.5%), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (5%) and LDL-C (8.1%) were observed with egg consumption (p < 0.01), while no change was seen in LDL-C/HDL-C ratio, a key marker of heart disease risk. Compared to choline supplementation, intake of eggs resulted in higher concentrations of plasma apoA-I (8%) and apoE (17%) with no changes in apoB. Sterol regulatory element-binding protein 2 and 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase expression were lower with egg consumption by 18% and 31%, respectively (p < 0.05), suggesting a compensation to the increased dietary cholesterol load. Therefore, dietary cholesterol from eggs appears to regulate endogenous synthesis of cholesterol in such a way that the LDL-C/HDL-C ratio is maintained.

Highlights

Consumption of foods high in fat and cholesterol have been of major concern due to the increasing prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) worldwide [1]
All participants were considered healthy based on their body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, lipid profile, plasma fasting glucose, creatinine, and Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR)
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of egg consumption on CVD risk factors and cholesterol metabolism in comparison to a choline bitartrate supplement

Summary

Introduction

Consumption of foods high in fat and cholesterol have been of major concern due to the increasing prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) worldwide [1]. High concentrations of plasma low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) have been shown to be associated with an increased risk for CVD [2]. Studies have shown that an increase of 1 mg/dL in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) is related to 2% and 3% reductions in CVD risk in men and women [3]. Lifestyle interventions typically focus on decreasing plasma LDL-C and, in some cases, increasing HDL-C concentrations. The LDL-C/HDL-C ratio has become a key biomarker for CVD risk.

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