Phytosterols have been shown to be effective in reducing serum cholesterol levels in numerous human clinical studies and regular consumption is recommended as part of therapeutic lifestyle changes aimed at reducing low density lipoprotein (LDL-C) in the treatment of hyperlipidaemia, a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Fat based spreads have been shown to be a very successful vehicle for delivery of plant sterols, readily accepted by consumers and efficacious in reducing cholesterol levels. Alfa One™ Rice Bran Oil (RBO) spread is a new product entering into the market place. It is derived from rice bran oil and contains high levels of unsaponifiable material rich in phytosterols, triterpene alcohols, ferulic acid esters ([gamma]-oryzanol) and vitamin E isomers. As such it may have the potential to lower serum cholesterol levels when consumed on a daily basis. In order to establish the effectiveness of Alfa One™ Rice Bran Oil (RBO) spread compared with Flora pro-activ® margarine, a well established brand of plant sterol margarine already proven to lower cholesterol, a randomised double blind cross-over human clinical trial over 12 weeks was conducted. The study was divided into two treatment arms. The first arm of the study was to determine whether Alfa One™ RBO spread (containing 1.5% plant sterols) could lower total and LDL cholesterol levels to a greater extent than standard Flora margarine (containing no plant sterols) or Flora Pro-activ® margarine (containing 8% plant sterols). The second study arm tested the proposition that daily consumption of Alfa One™ Rice Bran Oil (RBO) spread in conjunction with rice bran oil (containing 0.5% plant sterols) would lower total and LDL cholesterol to a greater extent than Alfa One™ RBO spread in isolation and more than Flora margarine in conjunction with sunflower oil. Eighty mildly hypercholesterolaemic individuals (total cholesterol [greater than or equal to] 5 mmol/L and [less than or equal to] 7.5 mmol/L) were recruited and randomised into two groups of forty. Participants were asked to continue with their normal dietary pattern but to replace any margarine/butter/fat consumption with the trial products. One group of 40 were then assigned to the first treatment arm of the study (margarine-only group) and were randomised to consume 20 g (4 teaspoons) Alfa One™ RBO spread daily for 4 weeks, or 20 g Flora margarine daily for 4 weeks, or 20 Flora pro-activ® daily for 4 weeks. Phytosterol levels delivered in these amounts were: RBO margarine: 118mg phytosterol and 14 mg [gamma]-oryzanol; Flora proactiv® 1600 mg phytosterol; Flora margarine 0mg phytosterol. The second group of 40 were allocated to the second arm of the trial (margarine and oil group) and consumed 20 g Alfa One™ RBO spread and 30 ml rice bran oil (RBO) daily for 4 weeks, or 20 g Flora margarine and 30 ml sunflower oil daily for 4 weeks, or 20 g Alfa One™ RBO spread daily for 4 weeks, changing treatment at the end of each 4-week period. Phytosterol amounts delivered in these amounts were: RBO margarine: 118 mg phytosterol and 14 mg [gamma] oryzanol; RBO 222mg mg phytosterol, 150 mg [gamma] oryzanol. Each participant consumed all three treatments in a random order over a 12 week period. At baseline and following each 4 week intervention period, measurements were made of weight and blood pressure. Venous blood samples were collected for analysis of total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), total cholesterol: HDL-C, triglycerides and plasma phytosterols. Three-day diet records from each individual were also collected for analysis of normal dietary intake. Results showed that compared to a standard Flora margarine, Alfa One™ RBO spread significantly reduced total cholesterol by 2.2% (P=0.045), total cholesterol:HDL by 4.1% (P=0.005) and LDL-C by 3.5% (P=0.016), but was not as effective overall as Flora Pro-activ® which reduced total cholesterol by 4.4% (P=0.001), total cholesterol:HDL by 3.4% (P=0.014) and LDL-C by 5.6% (P=0.001). Consumption of Flora margarine alone produced no significant decrease from baseline figures in any of the cholesterol parameters measured. Surprisingly, in group two, the addition of rice bran oil to the Alfa One™ RBO spread produced no differences in cholesterol levels. The reason for this unexpected result is being explored further. These results confirm that Alfa One™ RBO spread is effective in lowering serum cholesterol levels when consumed as part of a normal diet. Studies have shown that a 1% reduction in LDL-C can equate to a 2% decrease in coronary heart disease (CHD) risk thus suggesting that the 3.5% reduction demonstrated by Alfa One™ RBO spread in this study could be effective in reducing CHD risk as much as 6% in a mildly hypercholesterolaemic population.

Phytosterols have been shown to be effective in reducing serum cholesterol levels in numerous human clinical studies and regular consumption is recommended as part of therapeutic lifestyle changes aimed at reducing low density lipoprotein (LDL-C) in the treatment of hyperlipidaemia, a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Fat based spreads have been shown to be a very successful vehicle for delivery of plant sterols, readily accepted by consumers and efficacious in reducing cholesterol levels. Alfa One™ Rice Bran Oil (RBO) spread is a new product entering into the market place. It is derived from rice bran oil and contains high levels of unsaponifiable material rich in phytosterols, triterpene alcohols, ferulic acid esters ([gamma]-oryzanol) and vitamin E isomers. As such it may have the potential to lower serum cholesterol levels when consumed on a daily basis. In order to establish the effectiveness of Alfa One™ Rice Bran Oil (RBO) spread compared with Flora pro-activ® margarine, a well established brand of plant sterol margarine already proven to lower cholesterol, a randomised double blind cross-over human clinical trial over 12 weeks was conducted. The study was divided into two treatment arms. The first arm of the study was to determine whether Alfa One™ RBO spread (containing 1.5% plant sterols) could lower total and LDL cholesterol levels to a greater extent than standard Flora margarine (containing no plant sterols) or Flora Pro-activ® margarine (containing 8% plant sterols). The second study arm tested the proposition that daily consumption of Alfa One™ Rice Bran Oil (RBO) spread in conjunction with rice bran oil (containing 0.5% plant sterols) would lower total and LDL cholesterol to a greater extent than Alfa One™ RBO spread in isolation and more than Flora margarine in conjunction with sunflower oil. Eighty mildly hypercholesterolaemic individuals (total cholesterol [greater than or equal to] 5 mmol/L and [less than or equal to] 7.5 mmol/L) were recruited and randomised into two groups of forty. Participants were asked to continue with their normal dietary pattern but to replace any margarine/butter/fat consumption with the trial products. One group of 40 were then assigned to the first treatment arm of the study (margarine-only group) and were randomised to consume 20 g (4 teaspoons) Alfa One™ RBO spread daily for 4 weeks, or 20 g Flora margarine daily for 4 weeks, or 20 Flora pro-activ® daily for 4 weeks. Phytosterol levels delivered in these amounts were: RBO margarine: 118mg phytosterol and 14 mg [gamma]-oryzanol; Flora proactiv® 1600 mg phytosterol; Flora margarine 0mg phytosterol. The second group of 40 were allocated to the second arm of the trial (margarine and oil group) and consumed 20 g Alfa One™ RBO spread and 30 ml rice bran oil (RBO) daily for 4 weeks, or 20 g Flora margarine and 30 ml sunflower oil daily for 4 weeks, or 20 g Alfa One™ RBO spread daily for 4 weeks, changing treatment at the end of each 4-week period. Phytosterol amounts delivered in these amounts were: RBO margarine: 118 mg phytosterol and 14 mg [gamma] oryzanol; RBO 222mg mg phytosterol, 150 mg [gamma] oryzanol. Each participant consumed all three treatments in a random order over a 12 week period. At baseline and following each 4 week intervention period, measurements were made of weight and blood pressure. Venous blood samples were collected for analysis of total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), total cholesterol: HDL-C, triglycerides and plasma phytosterols. Three-day diet records from each individual were also collected for analysis of normal dietary intake. Results showed that compared to a standard Flora margarine, Alfa One™ RBO spread significantly reduced total cholesterol by 2.2% (P=0.045), total cholesterol:HDL by 4.1% (P=0.005) and LDL-C by 3.5% (P=0.016), but was not as effective overall as Flora Pro-activ® which reduced total cholesterol by 4.4% (P=0.001), total cholesterol:HDL by 3.4% (P=0.014) and LDL-C by 5.6% (P=0.001). Consumption of Flora margarine alone produced no significant decrease from baseline figures in any of the cholesterol parameters measured. Surprisingly, in group two, the addition of rice bran oil to the Alfa One™ RBO spread produced no differences in cholesterol levels. The reason for this unexpected result is being explored further. These results confirm that Alfa One™ RBO spread is effective in lowering serum cholesterol levels when consumed as part of a normal diet. Studies have shown that a 1% reduction in LDL-C can equate to a 2% decrease in coronary heart disease (CHD) risk thus suggesting that the 3.5% reduction demonstrated by Alfa One™ RBO spread in this study could be effective in reducing CHD risk as much as 6% in a mildly hypercholesterolaemic population.

Phytosterols have been shown to be effective in reducing serum cholesterol levels in numerous human clinical studies and regular consumption is recommended as part of therapeutic lifestyle changes aimed at reducing low density lipoprotein (LDL-C) in the treatment of hyperlipidaemia, a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Fat based spreads have been shown to be a very successful vehicle for delivery of plant sterols, readily accepted by consumers and efficacious in reducing cholesterol levels. Alfa One™ Rice Bran Oil (RBO) spread is a new product entering into the market place. It is derived from rice bran oil and contains high levels of unsaponifiable material rich in phytosterols, triterpene alcohols, ferulic acid esters ([gamma]-oryzanol) and vitamin E isomers. As such it may have the potential to lower serum cholesterol levels when consumed on a daily basis. In order to establish the effectiveness of Alfa One™ Rice Bran Oil (RBO) spread compared with Flora pro-activ® margarine, a well established brand of plant sterol margarine already proven to lower cholesterol, a randomised double blind cross-over human clinical trial over 12 weeks was conducted. The study was divided into two treatment arms. The first arm of the study was to determine whether Alfa One™ RBO spread (containing 1.5% plant sterols) could lower total and LDL cholesterol levels to a greater extent than standard Flora margarine (containing no plant sterols) or Flora Pro-activ® margarine (containing 8% plant sterols). The second study arm tested the proposition that daily consumption of Alfa One™ Rice Bran Oil (RBO) spread in conjunction with rice bran oil (containing 0.5% plant sterols) would lower total and LDL cholesterol to a greater extent than Alfa One™ RBO spread in isolation and more than Flora margarine in conjunction with sunflower oil. Eighty mildly hypercholesterolaemic individuals (total cholesterol [greater than or equal to] 5 mmol/L and [less than or equal to] 7.5 mmol/L) were recruited and randomised into two groups of forty. Participants were asked to continue with their normal dietary pattern but to replace any margarine/butter/fat consumption with the trial products. One group of 40 were then assigned to the first treatment arm of the study (margarine-only group) and were randomised to consume 20 g (4 teaspoons) Alfa One™ RBO spread daily for 4 weeks, or 20 g Flora margarine daily for 4 weeks, or 20 Flora pro-activ® daily for 4 weeks. Phytosterol levels delivered in these amounts were: RBO margarine: 118mg phytosterol and 14 mg [gamma]-oryzanol; Flora proactiv® 1600 mg phytosterol; Flora margarine 0mg phytosterol. The second group of 40 were allocated to the second arm of the trial (margarine and oil group) and consumed 20 g Alfa One™ RBO spread and 30 ml rice bran oil (RBO) daily for 4 weeks, or 20 g Flora margarine and 30 ml sunflower oil daily for 4 weeks, or 20 g Alfa One™ RBO spread daily for 4 weeks, changing treatment at the end of each 4-week period. Phytosterol amounts delivered in these amounts were: RBO margarine: 118 mg phytosterol and 14 mg [gamma] oryzanol; RBO 222mg mg phytosterol, 150 mg [gamma] oryzanol. Each participant consumed all three treatments in a random order over a 12 week period. At baseline and following each 4 week intervention period, measurements were made of weight and blood pressure. Venous blood samples were collected for analysis of total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), total cholesterol: HDL-C, triglycerides and plasma phytosterols. Three-day diet records from each individual were also collected for analysis of normal dietary intake. Results showed that compared to a standard Flora margarine, Alfa One™ RBO spread significantly reduced total cholesterol by 2.2% (P=0.045), total cholesterol:HDL by 4.1% (P=0.005) and LDL-C by 3.5% (P=0.016), but was not as effective overall as Flora Pro-activ® which reduced total cholesterol by 4.4% (P=0.001), total cholesterol:HDL by 3.4% (P=0.014) and LDL-C by 5.6% (P=0.001). Consumption of Flora margarine alone produced no significant decrease from baseline figures in any of the cholesterol parameters measured. Surprisingly, in group two, the addition of rice bran oil to the Alfa One™ RBO spread produced no differences in cholesterol levels. The reason for this unexpected result is being explored further. These results confirm that Alfa One™ RBO spread is effective in lowering serum cholesterol levels when consumed as part of a normal diet. Studies have shown that a 1% reduction in LDL-C can equate to a 2% decrease in coronary heart disease (CHD) risk thus suggesting that the 3.5% reduction demonstrated by Alfa One™ RBO spread in this study could be effective in reducing CHD risk as much as 6% in a mildly hypercholesterolaemic population.

Des substances toxiques générées par les activités portuaires, urbaines et industrielles sont déversées à certains niveaux du milieu marin côtier marocain. Les mollusques peuvent concentrer les polluants et avoir des effets néfastes sur la santé humaine par l’intermédiaire de la chaîne alimentaire. Malgré le renforcement des mesures de sécurité alimentaire, l’implication de la pollution chimique des aliments dans les troubles métaboliques n’est pas à exclure. Pour prédire l’impact des polluants sur l’écosystème aquatique et sur la santé humaine, le développement d’outils de biosurveillance est nécessaire.Nous avons quantifié les métaux lourds (Cd, Cr et Pb) chez les moules (Mytilus galloprovincialis) issues de la côte atlantique marocaine (site industriel Jorf Lasfar (JL) et site touristique d’Oualidia (OL)) en raison de la proximité d’une plateforme d’extraction de phosphate puis caractérisé leurs profils lipidiques (acides gras, cholestérol, oxystérols, phytostérols et phospholipides). Les extraits lipidiques totaux de moules ont été testés in vivo sur des rats pour déterminer leurs effets sur les paramètres biochimiques plasmatiques et in vitro sur une lignée de cellules β pancréatiques murine (MIN-6) en conditions normo et hyperglycémique. Les effets des extraits de moules JL et OL ont été comparés par rapport à ceux de moules d’origine espagnole (ES) destinées à la consommation en France.Les métaux lourds dans les moules JL dépassent les normes internationales. Les concentrations métalliques dans tous les extraits lipidiques sont à l’état de trace. Les moules JL et OL sont moins riches en acides gras insaturés, plus riches en oxystérols et en phospholipides par rapport aux moules ES, suggérant un stress environnemental. Les extraits lipidiques des moules JL et OL administrés à des rats, ont provoqué une perturbation des paramètres plasmatiques, notamment des taux de glucose, créatinine, triglycérides et transaminases avec une augmentation de cholestérol-HDL. In vitro seuls les extraits lipidiques JL et OL induisent la mort des cellules MIN-6 par un processus non apoptotique. Ce processus est associé à une dépolarisation mitochondriale, une déstabilisation lysosomale et une augmentation de la perméabilité de la membrane cytoplasmique, paramètres mesurés par cytométrie en flux dans une démarche cytomique. Ils provoquent aussi une surproduction de H2O2, une augmentation d’activité catalase, une diminution du glutathion réduit, une peroxydation lipidique et une forte stimulation de la sécrétion d’insuline avec un effet plus marqués en présence des extraits lipidiques JL.Globalement, les lipides de moules JL induisent des effets néfastes in vivo et in vitro par rapport à ceux provenant de OL et ES. Une étude épidémiologique à large échelle dans le contexte des maladies métaboliques pourrait être pertinente chez les populations consommatrices de ces moules. / Toxic substances generated by various human activities are spilled on different area of the Moroccan coast. Shellfishes can concentrate pollutants and have some adverse effects on human health through the food chain. Despite the strengthening of food safety rules, the involvement of chemical pollution of food on metabolic disorders is not known. To predict the impact of pollutants on the aquatic ecosystem and human health, the development of appropriate biomonitoring tools is required.We quantified heavy metals (Cd, Cr and Pb) in mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) from two sites of Moroccan Atlantic coast (industrial site Jorf Lasfar (JL) and touristic site Oualidia (OL)) due to the proximity of a phosphate extraction platform, and further characterized their lipid profiles (fatty acids, cholesterol, oxysterols, phospholipids and phytosterols). Total lipid extracts of mussels were tested in vivo in rats to determine their effects on biochemical plasmatic parameters and in vitro on a β pancreatic murine cell line (MIN-6) in normo-and hyperglycemic conditions. The effects of JL and OL mussel extracts were compared to mussels from Spain (ES) used for human consumption in France. Heavy metals in JL mussels exceed international standard level. Metal concentrations in all lipid extracts are present in small quantity. JL and OL mussels are less enriched in unsaturated fatty acids, oxysterols and contain higher levels of phospholipids than ES mussels, suggesting an environmental stress. The lipid extracts of JL and OL mussels administered to rats induce a disruption of plasmatic parameters (glucose, creatinine, transaminases and triglycerides) with an increase of HDL-cholesterol. In vitro, only JL and OL lipid extracts induce MIN-6 cell death by a non-apoptotic process. This process is associated with mitochondrial depolarization, lysosomal destabilization and an increase of the cytoplasmic membrane permeability, parameters measured by flow cytométrie in a cytomic context. They also induce an overproduction of H2O2, an increase of catalase activity, a decrease of reduced glutathion, lipid peroxidation and a strong stimulation of insulin secretion with a more marked effect in presence of JL lipid extracts.Overall, JL mussel lipids induce various side effects in vivo and in vitro, which are more pronounced that those observed with OL and ES. A large-scale epidemiological study could be of interest to confirm the potential side effects of these mussels to favor metabolic disorders.