What are the clinical test results?

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In assessing the work that has been done on various disease conditions, the literature shows the action of plant sterols on a diverse range of pathologies. Sitosterol with its glucoside has been used since 1974 in Germany for the treatment of benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH). The results have been positive and have demonstrated the use of sterols for inflammatory conditions.

In a publication in "The Lancet" (June 17,1995) a randomized double-blind placebo controlled trial conducted on 200 patients was recorded. The results of giving beta-sitosterol and its glucoside to the patients with symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) demonstrated an increased peak flow and decreased mean residual urinary volume as compared to the control group.

These results indicate that B-sitosterol is in fact an effective treatment option for individuals with BPH.

Sitosterol has been used in a number of countries for the treatment of mild hypercholesterolaemia. In addition, sitosterol has been shown to reduce serum cholesterol. Tests done in Finland showed that by substituting sitostanol-ester enriched margarine for part of the daily fat intake in subjects with mild hypercholesterolaemia, it was effective in lowering serum total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol.

These findings were published in the New England Journal of Medicine (November 16, 1995) and reflected results of a one-year randomized double-blind study of 153 randomly selected subjects with hypercholesterolaemia.

A report published in April 1998 taken from the archives of the International Pharmacodyn showed that in animal experiments, B-sitosterol and its glucoside increased the fasting insulin levels and lowered the fasting glucose levels. The anti-hyperglycemic effect of the sterol and sterolins are thought to be due to an increase in circulating insulin levels which attribute to a simulation of insulin secretion from pancreatic B-cells. These results indicate a possible anti-hyperglycemic use for the phytosterols in the prevention and treatment of pre-diabetic and diabetic conditions.

In a trial conducted under the auspices of Tygerberg hospital, University of Stellenbosch and University of the Western Cape with males suffering from pulmonary tuberculosis (TB), the results showed significantly improved weight gain, higher lymphocyte counts and higher eosinophil counts in the patients receiving sterols and sterolins, in addition to an efficacious anti-tuberculosis drug regimen.

These findings were published in the International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (July 1997). This study indicates that plant sterols and sterolins may have a positive role to play in the complementary treatment of immuno-compromised patients.

Prof. P Bouic of Tygerberg hospital has done work with rheumatoid arthritis and has shown that sterols and sterolins inhibit the synthesis and release of factors which induce inflammation. In addition, the enhancement of the T helper cells assists in immune modulation. Prof. Bouic writes, "We are therefore able to control the disease by preventing the damage caused by the inflammation, but more importantly, we are able to reverse the immune abnormality at the site of the disease" He has demonstrated that the sterols and sterolins act synergistically.

One of the most concerning conditions in today’s world is the incidence of HIV. This rapidly proliferating disease compromises the immune function in the body and leads to progressive deterioration of general health. The stimulation of T-cell function by the plant sterols and sterolins has promise of benefit for this condition.

In an article authored by Patrick Bouic and published by the Medical Control Council of South Africa in September 1997, the results of an open trial on 80 HIV patients was recorded. Sterols and sterolins were given to patients over a three year period with clinical monitoring every three months. The results were that the CD4 lymphocyte counts remained stable over 27 months with no significant declines. The study also demonstrated a significant decrease in Interleukin-6 levels, which led to a decrease in viral load levels. The preliminary findings suggest an important role for plant sterols and sterolins in the multistage treatment of HIV.

Work done by Hay, Rosenberg and Walker from the Massachusetts General Hospital and the Harvard Medical School (HIV International, November 1998) have suggested that the central defect in HIV infection is the susceptibility of activated T helper cells to HIV. What has been known is that HIV preferentially infects activated CD4 cells. The hypothesis of the researchers is that if one begins therapy early (before seroconversion) and protects activated CD4 helper cells, those cells will maintain their function, preserve cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses, and possibly lead to immune control of the virus and non progressive infection.

A double blind study was performed on marathon runners to see if the addition of a sterol/sterolin mixture would prevent the characteristic immune suppression and inflammatory reaction in high intensity athletes. The results of the study on 20 marathon runners demonstrated that the taking of a sterol/sterolin mixture prior to a highly stressful physical event protected the treatment group against an excessively inflammatory response typical of anyone running a marathon. The treatment group experienced a significant rise for the CD3 and CD4 lymphocyte subsets. Interleukin 6 levels went up in the placebo group, indicating inflammatory reactions, but the levels went down for the treatment group. The sterol/sterolin mixture buffered the excessive release of cortisol with its immunosuppressive effects. The sterol/sterolin mixture raised DHEA levels and lowered the cortisol to DHEA ratio indicating a more adaptive response to stress. These results indicated that sterols/sterolins are adaptogenic in that they modulated the immune and stress response. This makes them extremely valuable and adjuncts to the prevention and treatment of a wide range of stress-mediated disorders, as well as immune dysregulation and inflammatory diseases.

Introduction

What are plant sterols/sterolins?

Is our dietary intake of sterols adequate?

How do sterols/sterolins work?

What are the clinical test results?

How to maintain a healthy immune system

Conclusion

Bibliography

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