The Effects of Beta-Glucan Rich Oat Bread on Serum Nitric Oxide and Vascular Endothelial Function in Patients with Hypercholesterolemia

INTRODUCTION Oats are high in soluble fibers and effective in reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). We assessed the effects of beta-glucan from oat bran on serum nitric oxide (NO) endothelial function in patients with hypercholesterolemia. METHOD Sixty hypercholesterolemic patients were randomly divided to receive an experimental bread rich in beta-glucan from oat bran (intervention) or bread rich in wheat fiber (control) for four weeks. All subjects had the same diet for two-week baseline period and hypocaloric diet for four weeks of intervention. Serum NO concentration and flow-mediated dilation (FMD) were determined before and after the experiment. RESULTS Mean age of the participants was 51.1 ± 9.3 years and 65% (n = 39) were female. After intervention, serum NO concentration increased by 50.2 ± 19.8 μmol/lit in the intervention group (P = 0.017), but no change was observed in the control group (17.5 ± 27.5 μmol/lit; P = 0.530). No change of FMD was observed in the intervention (0.48 ± 0.78%; P = 0.546) or in the control group (0.59 ± 0.92%; P = 0.533). CONCLUSION Consumption of oat bread for four weeks increases serum NO concentration but has no effect on FMD. Further studies are warranted in this regard.