Sex and hormonal status influence plasma lipid responses to psyllium

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#adult #analysis-of-variance #blood-pressure #carrier-proteins #cathartics

Sex and hormonal status influence plasma lipid responses to psyllium

Vega-López et al., 2001 | Am J Clin Nutr | Rct

Citation

Vega-López S, Vidal-Quintanar R L, Fernandez M L. Sex and hormonal status influence plasma lipid responses to psyllium. Am J Clin Nutr. 2001-Oct;74(4):435-41

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The primary mechanisms by which soluble fiber lowers plasma cholesterol are well known. However, specific effects of fiber on lipoprotein metabolism and how sex and hormonal status influence these effects are not well defined. OBJECTIVE: The effects of a psyllium supplement in men, premenopausal women, and postmenopausal women were examined to determine the mechanisms by which psyllium lowers plasma LDL-cholesterol concentrations and affects lipoprotein remodeling in the intravascular compartment. DESIGN: We designed a crossover trial in which 24 men, 23 premenopausal women, and 21 postmenopausal women were randomly assigned for 30 d to a fiber supplement (15 g psyllium/d) or a control. Plasma lipids and cholesteryl ester transfer protein and lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase (phosphatidylcholine-sterol O-acyltransferase) activities were measured after each treatment. RESULTS: When compared with the control, psyllium intake lowered plasma LDL-cholesterol concentrations by 7-9% (P < 0.0001) without affecting plasma HDL-cholesterol concentrations. An interactive effect between fiber and sex and hormonal status was observed for plasma triacylglycerol. Psyllium supplementation significantly lowered plasma triacylglycerol concentrations in men by 17% and raised triacylglycerol concentrations in postmenopausal women by 16% (P < 0.01). The dietary treatment did not significantly affect plasma triacylglycerol in premenopausal women. Lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase was unaffected by psyllium intake whereas cholesteryl ester transfer protein activity was 18% lower after psyllium supplementation than after the control treatment (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: This trial showed that the psyllium-induced responses to plasma lipids were associated with sex and hormonal status and that psyllium, through its action in the intestinal lumen, indirectly affected the intravascular processing of lipoproteins.

Key Findings

When compared with the control, psyllium intake lowered plasma LDL-cholesterol concentrations by 7-9% (P < 0.0001) without affecting plasma HDL-cholesterol concentrations. An interactive effect between fiber and sex and hormonal status was observed for plasma triacylglycerol. Psyllium supplementation significantly lowered plasma triacylglycerol concentrations in men by 17% and raised triacylglycerol concentrations in postmenopausal women by 16% (P < 0.01). The dietary treatment did not significa

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population postmenopausal women
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Adult
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Blood Pressure
  • Carrier Proteins
  • Cathartics
  • Cholesterol
  • Cholesterol Ester Transfer Proteins
  • Cross-Over Studies
  • Diet
  • Female
  • Glycoproteins
  • Humans
  • Lipoproteins
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Phosphatidylcholine-Sterol O-Acyltransferase
  • Postmenopause
  • Premenopause
  • Psyllium
  • Sex Factors

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Rct
  • Publication Types: Clinical Trial, Comparative Study, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Vertical: psyllium-cholesterol

Provenance

  • PMID: 11566640
  • DOI: (not available)
  • PMCID: Not in PMC
  • Verified: 2026-04-09 via PubMed E-utilities API

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09