Lime-treated maize husks lower plasma LDL-cholesterol levels in normal and hypercholesterolaemic adult men from northern Mexico

• Published in: British journal of nutrition Vol. 81; no. 4; pp. 281 - 288
• Main Authors: Vidal-Quintanar, Reyna Luz, Mendívil, Reyna Luz, Peña, Mireya, Fernandez, Maria Luz
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge, UK Cambridge University Press 01-04-1999
• Subjects: Adult; Biological and medical sciences; Case-Control Studies; Cholesterol - blood; Cholesterol, LDL - blood; Dietary Fiber - administration & dosage; Dietary fibre; Disorders of blood lipids. Hyperlipoproteinemia; Fruit; Humans; Hypercholesterolemia - blood; Hypercholesterolemia - diet therapy; Maize husks; Male; Medical sciences; Metabolic diseases; Patient Compliance; Plasma cholesterol; Zea mays; Central America; Mexico; America; Maize husks; Plasma cholesterol; Dietary fibre; Human; Metabolic diseases; Cholesterol LDL; Lipids; Hyperlipoproteinemia; Supplemented diet; Feeding; Blood plasma; Prevention; Lime; Hypercholesterolemia; Plant origin; Adult; Corn by product; Processed food; Dyslipemia; Dietary fiber
• ISSN: 0007-1145; 1475-2662
• DOI: 10.1017/S0007114599000525

Lime-treated maize husks (LTCH), a by-product of tortilla manufacturing in Mexico, have been shown to decrease plasma LDL-cholesterol levels in guinea-pigs by specific alterations in hepatic cholesterol metabolism. To determine whether LTCH would also lower plasma cholesterol levels in normal and hyperlipidaemic individuals, the fibre content of a typical diet was increased by supplementing free-living subjects in North-West Mexico with cookies containing 450 g LTCH/kg. Normal subjects (n 11) with plasma cholesterol levels of less than 5·7 mmol/l and hypercholesterolaemic subjects (n 12) with plasma cholesterol levels higher than 5·7 mmol/l participated in the study. Plasma glucose, cholesterol, triacylglycerol, LDL-cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol concentrations, LDL: HDL values and blood pressure were determined at baseline and after 6 weeks of supplementation with LTCH. LTCH supplementation significantly lowered the plasma total cholesterol level by 11–15 % and LDL-cholesterol by 25 %, and improved the LDL: HDL value by 29–33 % (P < 0·01) in both normal and hypercholesterolaemic subjects. HDL-cholesterol, triacylglycerol and glucose concentrations did not change. Both groups consumed equal amounts of LTCH per week; individuals showed excellent compliance and good acceptance of the product. Neither group changed their dietary habits during the time of the experiment as determined by 3 d dietary records at baseline and at week 6. We conclude that LTCH supplements are suitable to increase fibre intake and reduce plasma LDL-cholesterol levels in healthy and hypercholesterolaemic subjects in this population.