Title

Phytosterols, Ezetimibe, and Cholesterol Metabolism
Regulation of Cholesterol Absorption: LDL Cholesterol Response to a Combination of Phytosterols and Ezetimibe (Phyto-3)
  • Phase

    N/A
  • Study Type

    Interventional
  • Study Participants

    22
Phytosterols and ezetimibe each reduce intestinal cholesterol absorption by 30-55% but appear to have different mechanisms of action. The investigators' hypothesis is that phytosterols and ezetimibe given together will block cholesterol absorption in an additive fashion. In a randomized, placebo-controlled crossover trial the effects of placebo, ezetimibe treatment and ezetimibe plus phytosterol treatment will be measured.
The investigators will perform a randomized, placebo-controlled crossover feeding study in 25 subjects with greater than ideal levels of LDL cholesterol who do not require anti-cholesterol drug treatment. Subjects will consume a baseline diet provided by a feeding center that is deficient in phytosterols for three periods of 21 days separated by 7-day washout periods. Treatments will be given in random order During period B placebo phytosterols and placebo ezetimibe will be given; during period C placebo phytosterols and active ezetimibe will be given; during period A active phytosterols and active ezetimibe will be given. Study endpoints are fecal cholesterol excretion and percent cholesterol absorption determined by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and circulating LDL cholesterol.
Study Started
Jun 30
2009
Primary Completion
Oct 31
2009
Study Completion
Feb 28
2010
Results Posted
Jun 01
2018
Last Update
Jun 01
2018

Drug Ezetimibe

Subjects will undergo three diet periods of 21 days each separated by 7 day washouts. Food will be supplied by a metabolic kitchen and will consist of a phytosterol-deficient baseline diet. During each period subjects will receive either phytosterol esters or placebo and ezetimibe or placebo.

  • Other names: C

Other Phytosterols + ezetimibe

Subjects will undergo three diet periods of 21 days each separated by 7 day washouts. Food will be supplied by a metabolic kitchen and will consist of a phytosterol-deficient baseline diet. During each period subjects will receive either phytosterol esters or placebo and ezetimibe or placebo.

  • Other names: A

Other Placebo

  • Other names: B

Crossover order ABC Experimental

The order of treatments is A (phytosterols + ezetimibe), B (double placebo), and C (active ezetimibe and phytosterol placebo).

Crossover order BCA Experimental

The order of treatments is B (double placebo), C (active ezetimibe and phytosterol placebo), and A (phytosterols + ezetimibe).

Crossover order BAC Experimental

The order of treatments is B (double placebo), A (phytosterols + ezetimibe), and C (active ezetimibe and phytosterol placebo)

Crossover order ACB Experimental

The order of treatments is A (phytosterols + ezetimibe), C (active ezetimibe and placebo phytosterols, and B (double placebo).

Crossover order CAB Experimental

The order of treatments is C (active ezetimibe and placebo phytosterols), A (phytosterols + ezetimibe), and B (double placebo).

Crossover order CBA Experimental

The order of treatments is C (active ezetimibe and placebo phytosterols), B (double placebo), and A (phytosterols and ezetimibe).

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

Male or female of any race or ethnicity between 18 to 80 years of age;
Body mass index between 20 - 35 kg/m2;
LDL-cholesterol between 130 - 189 mg/dL based on the average of duplicate screening measures. If the two LDL-C levels differ by more than 30 mg/dL, a third test will be scheduled with all three results averaged;
Free of chronic disease;
Willing to eat only the foods that are provided by the Center during the diet periods;
Willing to abstain from the consumption of alcohol for 48-hours prior to blood draw days;
Willing to drink no more than 5 cups of caffeine-containing beverages a day.

Exclusion Criteria:

Age < 18 or > 80 years;
Based on duplicate screening laboratory values: 1)LDL-C >=190 mg/dL; 2)TG >=250 mg/dL;3)blood pressure >= 160 mm Hg systolic or 95 mm Hg diastolic;
Documented presence of atherosclerotic disease;
Diabetes mellitus;
Renal, hepatic, endocrine, gastrointestinal, hematological or other systemic disease;
Body mass index > 35;
For women, pregnancy, breast feeding or postpartum < 6 months;
For women, peri-menopausal;
For women, sexually active but not practicing effective birth control methods;
History of drug or alcohol abuse;
History of depression or mental illness requiring treatment or medication within the last 6 months;
multiple food allergies or significant food preferences or restrictions that would interfere with diet adherence;
Chronic use of over-the-counter medication which would interfere with study endpoints including laxatives and antacids;
Lifestyle or schedule incompatible with the study protocol;
Planned continued use of dietary supplements through the study trial;
Taking any lipid-lowering, or other medications known to affect blood cholesterol.

Summary

Phytosterol-Deficient Diet

Diet Plus Ezetimibe

Diet Plus Ezetimibe Plus Phytosterols

All Events

Event Type Organ System Event Term

Cholesterol Excretion

Milligrams of fecal cholesterol and cholesterol metabolites excreted per day

Phytosterol-Deficient Diet

505.0
mg per day (Mean)
95% Confidence Interval: 386.0 to 625.0

Diet Plus Ezetimibe

794.0
mg per day (Mean)
95% Confidence Interval: 615.0 to 973.0

Diet Plus Ezetimibe Plus Phytosterols

962.0
mg per day (Mean)
95% Confidence Interval: 757.0 to 1168.0

Percent Cholesterol Absorption

Percent of intestinal cholesterol absorbed. Intestinal cholesterol is comprised of dietary cholesterol intake and endogenous cholesterol secreted into the intestinal lumen. Cholesterol absorption is the percent of intestinal cholesterol that is taken back up into the body and excluded from fecal excretion. It is also referred to as the efficiency of intestinal cholesterol absorption.

Phytosterol-Deficient Diet

69.0
Percent (Mean)
95% Confidence Interval: 61.8 to 76.2

Diet Plus Ezetimibe

46.2
Percent (Mean)
95% Confidence Interval: 38.5 to 53.9

Diet Plus Ezetimibe Plus Phytosterols

32.6
Percent (Mean)
95% Confidence Interval: 26.9 to 38.3

LDL Cholesterol

Phytosterol-Deficient Diet

129.0
mg/deciliter (Mean)
95% Confidence Interval: 116.0 to 142.0

Phytosterol-Deficient Diet Plus Ezetimibe

108.0
mg/deciliter (Mean)
95% Confidence Interval: 97.0 to 119.0

Phytosterol-Deficient Diet Plus Ezetimibe Plus Phytosterols

101.0
mg/deciliter (Mean)
95% Confidence Interval: 90.0 to 112.0

Age, Continuous

47
years (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 15

Race/Ethnicity, Customized

Sex: Female, Male

Overall Study

Crossover Order ABC

Crossover Order BCA

Crossover Order BAC

Crossover Order ACB

Crossover Order CAB

Crossover Order CBA