Intestinal fat absorption shifting with a polyglucosamine biopolymer slows down the progression of subclinical atherosclerosis: a pilot study.

Abstract

Intestinal fat absorption shifting (IFAS) can be achieved with a polyglucosamine biopolymer (BP) able to retain most fats in the gut so that they are available to the intestinal microbiota (shift). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the standard management (SM) of asymptomatic cardiovascular disease prevention on intima-media thickness (IMT) in comparison with SM combined with BP. Two groups (SM and SM+3 g BP/day) were compared. They consisted of 86 and 81 subjects respectively treated for 6 months. Anthropometric variables, vital signs, fat mass, lipid profile, oxidative stress, carotid IMT, granulations at the IM layer and near-wall low density bubbles were measured. Seventy-eight cases in the SM group and 81 in the SM+BP group completed the management period. Compliance was optimal (>97%) with no side effects. The anthropometric variables, vital signs, fat mass and oxidative stress were significantly lower only in the SM+BP group (P<0.05). Cholesterol and triglyceride levels improved with BP use (P<0.05). The changes in IMT were reduced significantly (P<0.05) in the SM+BP group only. The same was true for intimal granulation/bubbles. The preliminary results suggest that the IFAS caused by BP has a positive effect on IMT and arterial wall structure (thickness and low-density bubbles) even during a short period of management. The intestinal fat shifting and reduction in oxidative stress seem to limit lipid oxidation and deposition on the arterial wall.