Investigação do efeito terapêutico do Psyllium sobre a dislipidemia infanto-juvenil

Abstract

Psyllium is one of the richest known sources of soluble mucilaginous dietary fibre, and is considered to be a useful supplement to dietary therapy for the treatment of patients with hypercholesterolemia. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of psyllium as a dietary supplement for the reduction of the lipidic profile of dyslipidemic Brazilian children and adolescents. Fifty-five subjects (6-19y) with mild to moderate hypercholesterolemia were evaluated in a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel clinical trial, conducted in two periods. During the initial dietary adaptation phase, all subjects enrolled were treated with diet low in saturated fat (<7%) and cholesterol (<200mg/day) for 6-week to prior to the treatment phase. After this period, all eligible participants were allocated randomly to two groups (control n=25 and psyllium n=30) using a computer-generated random number sequence. Over an eight-week clinical trial period, one group (psyllium) were maintained a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol supplemented daily with 7.0g of psyllium, while the control group received the same diet plus with an equivalent amount of cellulose (placebo). At the end of the treatment period, four subjects were excluded following randomisation (lost to follow up) leaving 51 subjects (control group n= 24; psyllium group n=27, who completed the study. At the end of experiment, the psyllium group presented a significant decrease in the concentrations of total cholesterol, TC (4.1% [-0.20 mmol/L]; p=0.01) and LDL-cholesterol, LDL-c (7.2% [-0.24 mmol/L]; p<0,001). Additional reductions were observed in comparison with the control group (TC: 4.1% [-0.20 mmol/L]; p=0.007) and LDL-c: 7.8% [-0.26 mmol/L]; p=0.002). None of the participants reported any aversion to the smell, taste, appearance or texture of the psyllium, and absence serious adverse effects. Psyllium therapy shows significant efficacy on lowering of the LDL-c. It also demonstrates to be safe and acceptable for pediatric population in the study.