Effect of fermented milk product containing lactotripeptides and plant sterol esters on haemodynamics in subjects with the metabolic syndrome--a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

AbstractWe investigated the effects of fermented milk product containing isoleucine–proline–proline, valine–proline–proline and plant sterolesters (Pse) on plasma lipids, blood pressure (BP) and its determinants systemic vascular resistance and cardiac output. In a randomised,double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 104 subjects with the metabolic syndrome (MetS) were allocated to three groups in order toreceive fermented milk product containing (1) 5mg/d lactotripeptides (LTP) and 2g/d plant sterols; (2) 25mg/d LTP and 2g/d plant sterols;(3) placebo for 12 weeks. Plasma lipids and home BP were monitored. Haemodynamics were examined in a laboratory using radial pulsewave analysis and whole-body impedance cardiography in the supine position and during orthostatic challenge. There were no differencesbetween the effects of the two treatments and placebo on the measurements of BP at home or on BP, systemic vascular resistance indexand cardiac index in the laboratory, neither in the supine nor in the upright position. The changes in plasma LDL-cholesterol concentrationwere 20·1 (95% CI 20·3, 0·1 and 20·3, 0·0)mmol/l in the 5 and 25mg/d LTP groups, respectively, and þ0·1 (95% CI 20·1, 0·3)mmol/lduring placebo (P¼0·024). Both at baseline and at week 12, the increase in systemic vascular resistance during head-up tilt was lower inthe 25 mg/d LTP group than in the 5mg/d LTP group (P,0·01), showing persistent differences in cardiovascular regulation between thesegroups. In subjects with the MetS, intake of LTP and Pse in fermented milk product showed a lipid-lowering effect of borderline signifi-cance, while no antihypertensive effect was observed at home or in the laboratory.Key words: Lactotripeptides: Blood pressure: Systemic vascular resistance index: Plant sterol esters: Cholesterol