Published
Objectives: The present study was carried out to assess the effect of tocotrienol-rich fraction as a dietary supplement in hypercholesterolemic human subjects.
Study design: Double-blind, crossover, 8 week study
Subjects: Subjects with elevated cholesterol levels
Intervention: Tocotrienol-rich fraction (Palmvitee) 200 mg versus placebo (300 mg corn oil capsules)
Primary outcome: To determine the cholesterol lowering effect of palmvitee
Methodology: A double-blind, crossover experimental design was used to control within-subject variability of cholesterol measurements and the effect of order of the administration of the two supplements (palmvitec and corn oil for a placebo). Subjects were radomly assigned to one of two groups. In group I, each subject was observed for 2-wk baseline period, a 4-wk palmvitee-capsule supplementation period, and a 4-wk corn-oil-capsule supplementation period. In group II, each subject was observed for a 2 wk baseline period, a 4-wk corn-oil-capsule supplementation period, and a 4-6-wk palmvitee supplementation period.
Results: Concentrations of serum total cholesterol (-15%), LDL cholesterol (-8%), Apo B (-10%), thromboxane (-25%), platelet factor 4 (-16%), and glucose (-12%) decreased significantly only in the 15 subjects given palmvitee during the initial 4 wk. The crossover confirmed these actions of palmvitee. There was a carry over effect of palmvitee. Serum cholesterol concentrations of seven hypercholesterolemic subjects (greater than 7.84 mmol/L) decreased 31% during a 4-wk period in which they were given 200 mg gamma-tocotrienol/d.
Conclusion: This indicates that gamma-tocotrienol may be the most potent cholesterol inhibitor in palmvitee capsules. The results of this pilot study are very encouraging.