Antihypercholesterolemic effect of undigested fraction of soybean protein in young female volunteers

J Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo). 1995 Apr;41(2):187-95. doi: 10.3177/jnsv.41.187.

Abstract

The significant antihypercholesterolemic effect of the undigested high molecular fraction (HMF) of soybean protein is known in rats, but such an effect has not been shown in humans. The present two experiments were designed to elucidate it in humans. Subjects were female university students who had relatively high serum cholesterol levels for their age. In Experiment 1, subjects took 8% of their total energy from casein, soybean protein isolate (SPI), or HMF daily for 14 days. Five basic menus and snacks were cycled. Energy intakes and daily activities were kept constant and body weight was maintained. The HMF group showed decreased low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) as compared to other groups. In Experiment 2, subjects took 4% of total energy from casein or HMF daily for a menstruation period. Five basic menus and snacks which contained two egg yolks (about 500 mg cholesterol) were cycled. Energy intakes and daily activities were kept constant and body weight was maintained. A decrease in LDL-C and an increase in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were observed in the HMF group as compared to the casein group. Fecal acidic steroid excretion was greater in the HMF group than in the casein group (p < 0.05). The results confirmed that HMF increases fecal steroid excretion and reduces serum cholesterol levels in humans.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Controlled Clinical Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anticholesteremic Agents / analysis
  • Anticholesteremic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Anticholesteremic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Body Weight / physiology
  • Caseins / metabolism
  • Cholesterol / blood*
  • Cholesterol, HDL / blood
  • Cholesterol, LDL / blood
  • Dietary Proteins / pharmacology*
  • Dietary Proteins / therapeutic use
  • Eating / physiology
  • Female
  • Glycine max
  • Humans
  • Hypercholesterolemia / diet therapy*
  • Menstrual Cycle / blood
  • Molecular Weight
  • Plant Proteins, Dietary / analysis
  • Plant Proteins, Dietary / pharmacology*
  • Plant Proteins, Dietary / therapeutic use
  • Soybean Proteins

Substances

  • Anticholesteremic Agents
  • Caseins
  • Cholesterol, HDL
  • Cholesterol, LDL
  • Dietary Proteins
  • Plant Proteins, Dietary
  • Soybean Proteins
  • Cholesterol