A CITRUS EXTRACT PLUS ASCORBIC-ACID DECREASES LIPIDS, LIPID PEROXIDES, LIPOPROTEIN OXIDATIVE SUSCEPTIBILITY, AND ATHEROSCLEROSIS IN HYPERCHOLESTEROLEMIC HAMSTERS

A citrus extract containing flavonoids and ascorbic acid was used as a supplement to investigate its effect on lipids in hypercholesterolemi c hamsters. Ascorbic acid or the flavonoids were without effect except that ascorbate did significantly raise HDL. After 1 month of feeding, the citrus extract plus ascorbic acid synergistically caused a signif icant reduction of 77%, 66%, and 40% in plasma total cholesterol, LDL + VLDL, and triglycerides, respectively, in comparison to the control group. The extract was also a synergistic inhibitor of in vitro cupric ion LDL + VLDL oxidation compared with ascorbic acid or the flavonoid s alone. In a second 10-week hamster study, citrus extract plus ascorb ate also significantly lowered plasma lipids, lipid peroxides, and ex vivo LDL + VLDL oxidizability vs a control group. Citrus extract plus ascorbate strongly inhibited atherosclerosis, and there was a signific ant correlation between several indices of oxidative susceptibility an d atherosclerosis.