Physiological Effects of Concentrated Barley β-Glucan in Mildly Hypercholesterolemic Adults

• Published in: Journal of the American College of Nutrition 2008-06, Vol.27 (3), p.434-440
• Main Authors: Smith, Kristen N, Queenan, Katie M, Thomas, William, Fulcher, R. Gary, Slavin, Joanne L
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; adults; barley; beta-glucans; beta-Glucans - pharmacology; beta-Glucans - therapeutic use; Biological and medical sciences; blood chemistry; blood glucose; Blood Glucose - analysis; blood lipids; blood pressure; Blood Pressure - drug effects; body weight; Body Weight - drug effects; C-reactive protein; cardiovascular diseases; Cardiovascular Diseases - prevention & control; Cholesterol - blood; Cholesterol - physiology; Dietary Fiber; Dietary Supplements; Double-Blind Method; endpoints; Energy Intake; Feeding. Feeding behavior; Female; food acceptability; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Gastrointestinal Tract - physiology; gender differences; high density lipoprotein; homocysteine; Hordeum; Humans; hunger; Hunger - drug effects; hypercholesterolemia; Hypercholesterolemia - drug therapy; Hypercholesterolemia - physiopathology; insulin; Insulin - blood; low density lipoprotein; Male; men; Middle Aged; molecular weight; Phytotherapy; signs and symptoms (animals and humans); triacylglycerols; Triglycerides - blood; Vertebrates: anatomy and physiology, studies on body, several organs or systems; women
• ISSN: 0731-5724; 1541-1087
• DOI: 10.1080/07315724.2008.10719722

OBJECTIVE: Barley fiber rich in beta-glucans lowers serum lipids, but is difficult to incorporate into products acceptable to consumers. We investigated the physiological effects of two concentrated barley β-glucans on cardiovascular disease (CVD) endpoints and body weight in human subjects. METHODS: Hypercholesterolemic men and women (n = 90) were randomly assigned to one of two treatments: low molecular weight (low-MW) or high molecular weight (high-MW) concentrated barley β-glucan consumed as a daily supplement containing 6 grams beta-glucan/day. Fasting blood samples were collected at baseline and week 6 and analyzed for total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose, insulin, homocysteine and C-reactive protein (CRP). Dietary intakes, body weights, blood pressure, hunger ratings, and gastrointestinal symptoms were measured at baseline and 6 weeks. RESULTS: The only difference between treatments in lipid outcomes at week 6 was a reduction of the cholesterol/HDL ratio in the low-MW group and a small increase in the high-MW group. No changes were found in blood pressure, glucose, insulin, and gastrointestinal symptoms. Body weight decreased from baseline to 6 weeks in the high-MW group while body weight increased in the low-MW group. Levels of hunger decreased slightly in the low-MW group and decreased significantly in the high-MW group (P = 0.02) CONCLUSION: Overall, supplementation with isolated barley β-glucans of different molecular weights had small effects on cardiovascular disease markers. Molecular weight of the barley fiber did alter effects on body weight with the high-MW fiber significantly decreasing body weight.