STUDY REGARDING THE HIPOCHOLESTEROLEMIANT EFFECT OF ISOFLAVONES SUPPLEMENTS OBTAINED FROM TRIFOLIUM PRATENSE

Abstract

In this study has been evaluated the effect of some isoflavones supplements obtained from Trifolium pratense (Red Clover) on blood cholesterol. It was performed at the Department of Cardiology, Rehabilitation Hospital, Cluj-Napoca, Romania, in January-March, 2005, and it included 40 persons with slightly hypercholesterolemia. The first group (Group A-isoflavones) included 15 subjects with total cholesterol=226.5615.01 mg/dl and LDL cholesterol = 153.066.98 mg/dl; all of them have received a daily dose of 26 mg isoflavones from a red clover supplement called Flavosin. The second group (Control group B-diet) which has included 25 subjects with total cholesterol = 222.2126.36 mg/dl and LDL cholesterol = 151.6161.26 mg/dl, followed a diet that is recommended in hypercholesterolemia; caloric needs have been individually established and the average was 1450268 kcalories/d. At group A, it was founded a significant reduction (p = 0.02) regarding total cholesterol after three month of isoflavonoids intake according to initial level, the percentage reduction being 7.1%. It was also founded a significant increase of HDL cholesterol (p = 0.055) which is a protective factor from atherosclerosis in the case of hypercholesterolemia. The LDL cholesterol and triglycerides reduction was non significant (p = 0.135, respectively p = 0.055). At Group B it was founded a paradoxical, but non significant, increase of all lipid parameters. In conclusion, the results showed that red clover supplement was efficient in this short term study in order to reduce total cholesterol and in consequence for the prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases.