Effects of Fructooligosaccharides on Serum Lipids in Hypercholesterolemic Women

palavras-chave: oligossacarídeos, lipídios, hipercolesterolemia

key-words: Oligosaccharides, lipids, hypercholesterolemia.

resumo

O presente artigo objetivou avaliar os efeitos dos frutooligossacarídeos (FOS) na concentração sérica de lipídios de hipercolesterolêmicos. Trata-se de um estudo duplo-cego, randomizado e controlado com placebo. Participaram 30 mulheres, 51,4±10,4 anos, com hipercolesterolemia. Foram fornecidas 12g de FOS ou maltodextrina ao dia, por 2 meses. Realizou-se avaliação de antropometria, consumo alimentar e perfil lipídico. Verificou-se 13,3% de perda de seguimento. Das participantes, 61,5% apresentavam excesso de peso. Observou-se redução de colesterol total, LDL-colesterol e triglicérides, além de aumento do HDL-colesterol, embora sem significância estatística (p>0,05). Identificou-se que, dentre as participantes que mais reduziram seus níveis de LDL-colesterol, as reduções foram ainda maiores no grupo FOS (30,8% vs 15,4% no placebo, p<0,001). A melhora do hábito intestinal também foi maior no grupo FOS (54% vs 15%, p<0,05). Os dados destacaram provável auxílio dos FOS na terapia nutricional da hiperlipidemia e denotam necessidade de mais estudos para consolidação da sua eficácia.

abstract

This paper aimed to evaluate the effects of fructooligosaccharides (FOS) in the serum concentration of lipids in hypercholesterolemic individuals. This is a double-blind study, randomized and placebo-controlled. Participants were 30 women, 51.4±10.4 years, with hypercholesterolemia. 12g of FOS or maltodextrin daily were provided for 2 months. Anthropometry, food intake and lipid profile were evaluated. 13.3% of subjects were excluded during follow up. Of participants, 61.5% were overweight. There was reduction of total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and triglycerides, and increase in HDL-cholesterol, but without statistical significance (p>0.05). It was identified that among the participants, who most reduced their levels of LDL-cholesterol, the reductions were even greater in the FOS group (30.8% vs 15.4% in placebo, p<0.001). The improvement of bowel habit was also higher in the FOS group (54% vs 15%, p<0.05). Results denoted that FOS may contribute for nutritional therapy of hyperlipidemia and more studies are necessary to consolidate its effectiveness.