Examination of the Effects of Plant-Sterol-Supplemented Processed Rice on Serum Cholesterol Level

Plant sterols are natural dietary components whose lowering effect on serum cholesterol level has been well documented. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of plant-sterol-supplemented processed rice on serum of cholesterol level. In the determination, a double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted using a 3-group parallel protocol. The subjects comprised 33 healthy Japanese males and females with a total cholesterol level of 234. 6± 24.6 (mean±SD, mg/ml). They were given a daily ration of rice balls prepared from plant-sterol-supplemented rice containing 1.46 and 2.25 g of plant sterol for 4 weeks. Serum total cholesterol was reduced by 4.6% in the 2.25 g/day plant-sterol (as β-sitosterol of about 968 mg/day) group (p<0.05). As for LDL cholesterol level, such reduction was observed in 4.3%. In all the groups, no significant change in the level of HDL-cholesterol, triacylglycerol, RLP-cholesterol, VLD-lipoprotein, LD-lipoprotein or other kinds of apolipoprtein and biochemical parameters. In addition, no remarkable abnormality was observed in the subjective and objective examination of what symptoms. These results indicate that plant-sterol-supplemented processed rice is useful in supporting healthy eating habits for reducing serum total cholesterol level.