This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) All Versions of this Article: 110/8/915    most recent 01.CIR.0000139985.81163.CEv1 Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Request Permissions Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Zhao, S. P. Articles by Li, Y. L. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Zhao, S. P. Articles by Li, Y. L. Related Collections Nutrition Cardiovascular Pharmacology Doppler ultrasound, Transcranial Doppler etc. Chronic ischemic heart disease Lipid and lipoprotein metabolism Endothelium/vascular type/nitric oxide

(Circulation. 2004;110:915-920.)
© 2004 American Heart Association, Inc.

Original Articles

Xuezhikang, an Extract of Cholestin, Protects Endothelial Function Through Antiinflammatory and Lipid-Lowering Mechanisms in Patients With Coronary Heart Disease

Shui Ping Zhao, MD, PhD; Ling Liu, MD, PhD; Yan Chun Cheng, MD, PhD; Mehdi H. Shishehbor, DO; Ming Hui Liu, MD; Dao Quan Peng, MD, PhD; Yu Ling Li, MD

From the Departments of Cardiology (S.P.Z., L.L., Y.C.C., D.Q.P.), Ultrasound (M.H.L.), and Nutrition (Y.L.L.), Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Hunan, China; and Department of Internal Medicine, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio (M.H.S.).

Reprint requests to Shui Ping Zhao, MD, PhD, Department of Cardiology, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410011, Hunan, PR China.

Received January 22, 2003; de novo received January 13, 2004; accepted April 20, 2004.

Background— Endothelial dysfunction is associated with inflammation and postprandial hypertriglyceridemia. Xuezhikang, an extract of Cholestin, a dietary supplement, has lipid-modulating and antiinflammatory effects. We explored the effects of xuezhikang on endothelial function and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD).

Methods and Results— We prospectively randomized 50 CHD patients to xuezhikang 1200 mg/d or placebo for 6 weeks. Fasting hs-CRP concentrations, flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD) at 0 and 4 hours, and lipid parameters at 0, 2, 4, and 6 hours were monitored after a high-fat meal (800 calories; 50 g fat) in all patients. All patients underwent a high-fat meal test at the beginning of the study and after 6 weeks of treatment. Postprandial FMD was significantly worse at 4 hours after a high-fat meal (P<0.05), and this was associated with the area under the triglyceride curve (TG-AUC) (r=0.345, P<0.01). After 6 weeks of xuezhikang, fasting hs-CRP levels and TG-AUC (P<0.001 for each) decreased. Furthermore, preprandial and postprandial FMD significantly improved (P<0.001). There were no significant changes in serum lipids and FMD in the placebo arm. In multivariable regression analysis, changes in TG-AUC and fasting hs-CRP levels were predictive of improvement in preprandial FMD (P<0.05).

Conclusions— Xuezhikang effectively improved preprandial and postprandial endothelial function through its potent antiinflammatory and lipid-lowering effects.

Key Words: postprandial period • vasodilation • blood flow • coronary disease • xuezhikang

This article has been cited by other articles:

				J.-J. Li, Z.-L. Lu, W.-R. Kou, Z. Chen, Y.-F. Wu, X.-H. Yu, Y.-C. Zhao, and on behalf of the Chinese Coronary Secondary Preven Beneficial Impact of Xuezhikang on Cardiovascular Events and Mortality in Elderly Hypertensive Patients With Previous Myocardial Infarction From the China Coronary Secondary Prevention Study (CCSPS) J. Clin. Pharmacol., August 1, 2009; 49(8): 947 - 956. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				P. C. Kao, S.-C. Shiesh, and T.-J. Wu Serum C-reactive protein as a marker for wellness assessment. Ann. Clin. Lab. Sci., March 1, 2006; 36(2): 163 - 169. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]