Grapefruit pectin inhibits hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis in miniature swine

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Abstract
We studied the effect of dietary grapefruit pectin on plasma cholesterol and the development of atherosclerosis in 18 miniature swine. Pigs were randomized to one of three diets: no added fat (I), added fat/cellulose (II), and added fat/pectin (III). Plasma cholesterol was measured monthly. Arteries were examined for atherosclerosis at the termination of the experiment. Pectin supplementation of an added fat diet resulted in a significantly lower average plasma cholesterol than did cellulose supplementation (168 mg/dl vs. 249 mg/dl, p<0.05). The pectin‐fed pigs also developed less atherosclerosis of their aortas (1.1% vs. 7.0%, p<0.05) and coronary arteries (2.9% vs. 26.2% cross‐sectional narrowing, p<0.05). Plasma cholesterol levels correlated with the severity of aortic (r=0.836) and coronary artery (r=0.735) atherosclerosis. We conclude that dietary grapefruit pectin supplementation inhibits hypercholesterolemia and appears to be proportionately protective against atherosclerosis.