Naringin supplementation lowers plasma lipids and enhances erythrocyte antioxidant enzyme activities in hypercholesterolemic subjects

Background and aims: Preliminary studies have shown that naringin has a potent lipid-lowering effect and antioxidant capacity in high-cholesterol diet fed animals. Accordingly, the present study was conducted to investigate the effect of naringin on hypercholesterolemic subjects. Methods: A hypercholesterolemic group (n = 30) and healthy control group (n = 30) were established based on the plasma cholesterol levels in the subjects, then all subjects received naringin (400 mg/capsule/clay) with regular meals for a period of 8 weeks. Results: In the hypercholesterolemic subjects, naringin supplementation was found to lower the plasma total cholesterol by 14% and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations by 17%, while the plasma triglycericle and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations remained unaffected. The apolipoprotein B levels in the hypercholesterolemic subjects were significantly lowered after naringin treatment, yet no change was observed in the apolipoprotein A-1 levels. The erythrocyte superoxide dismutase and catalase activities in the hypercholesterolemic group were significantly increased, whereas the glutathione peroxidase activity and plasma TBARS levels were not different from the baseline measurements. Meanwhile, naringin supplementation had no affect on plasma lipids, apolipoproteins, and TBARS levels or antioxidant enzyme activities in the control group. Conclusions: Therefore, these data suggest that naringin may play an important role in lowering plasma cholesterol and regulating the antioxidant capacity in hypercholesterolemic subjects. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.