Accumulation of Plant Sterols in Human Stenotic Aortic Valves
Plant sterols are known to decrease cholesterol and LDL when consumed in sufficient quantities. Since one is not likely to get this quantity from food alone, food companies have begun fortifying foods with plant sterols in an effort at lowering risk for heart disease in those who consume such fortified foods.
However, a recent study just published in the Journal of Lipid Research brings up a question as to whether this fortification is, in the long run, a good thing. Since the pathogenesis of aortic valve stenosis (AS) is characterized by an accumulation of LDL-derived cholesterol in the diseased valves and LDL particles also contain plant sterols, a study was designed to see what the relationship was between the plant sterols and aortic valve lesions.
Serum samples were collected from 82 patients with severe AS and from 12 control subjects. Aortic valves were obtained from a subset of 21 AS patients and from 10 controls. Then total cholesterol and noncholesterol sterols were measured by gas-liquid chromatography.
Noncholesterol sterols, including both cholesterol precursors and sterols reflecting cholesterol absorption were detected in serum samples and aortic valves. The study concluded that the higher the absorption of cholesterol, the higher the plant sterol contents in stenotic aortic valves suggesting that local accumulation of plant sterols and cholesterol precursors (such as saturated fat) may participate in the pathobiology of aortic valve disease.
More studies are needed regarding what population-based recommendations should be for plant sterol fortification and consumption.
About the author
Kathy Shattler received her Master of Science degree from Michigan State University in E. Lansing Michigan in Human Nutrition. Her twenty-two years of practice includes holding positions as a Lecturer, Chief Clinical Dietitian and Program Manager. Kathy is the Founder of Nutri-Care Consulting and is currently the Nutrition Director of www.CEU4U.COM, an online continuing education management company for Registered Dietitians and Dietetic Technicians.
