Cyclodextrin May Reduce Cholesterol and Atherosclerosis

Cyclodextrin May Reduce Cholesterol and Atherosclerosis

A study conducted at The Norwegian University of Science and Technology may offer a new solution for reducing cholesterol and atherosclerotic plaquing in arteries.

Researchers tested cyclodextrin on mice who were fed high cholesterol diets and on humans. They found that cyclodextrin prevented plaque formation in mice. The researchers also examined human plaque biopsies and found that in those treated with cyclodextrin cholesterol had been removed from the plaques and there was reduced inflammation. The scientists concluded that cyclodextrin may be a future important alternative to statin medication.

Cyclodextrin has been approved for human use by the FDA and is available in some nutritional products.

Reference:

Zimmer, A. Grebe, S. S. Bakke, N. Bode, B. Halvorsen, T. Ulas, M. Skjelland, D. De Nardo, L. I. Labzin, A. Kerksiek, C. Hempel, M. T. Heneka, V. Hawxhurst, M. L. Fitzgerald, J. Trebicka, I. Bjorkhem, J.-A. Gustafsson, M. Westerterp, A. R. Tall, S. D. Wright, T. Espevik, J. L. Schultze, G. Nickenig, D. Lutjohann, E. Latz. Cyclodextrin promotes atherosclerosis regression via macrophage reprogramming. Science Translational Medicine, 2016; 8 (333): 333ra50 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.aad6100

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