OLESTRA EFFECT ON VITAMIN-D AND VITAMIN-E IN HUMANS CAN BE OFFSET BY INCREASING DIETARY LEVELS OF THESE VITAMINS

One hundred two normal healthy males and females were given 0, 8, 20 o r 32 g/d olestra to which had been added graded amounts of vitamins A, D and E for 8 wk in a parallel, double-blind study. The primary purpo se of the study was to determine the amounts of vitamins D and E neede d to offset the effect of olestra on the availability of these vitamin s. Serum concentrations of retinol, carotenoids, 25-hydroxyvitamin D m etabolites, alpha-tocopherol, phylloquinone, lipids, ferritin and tota l iron, iron-binding capacity and hematology parameters, plasma concen trations of des-gamma-carboxyprothrombin and prothrombin, and urinary gamma-carboxyglutamic acid (Gla) excretion were measured biweekly. Cli nical chemistry and urinalysis parameters, vitamin B-12 absorption, an d serum 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D concentration were measured at wk 0 an d 8. Serum concentrations of alpha-tocopherol and 25-hydroxyergocalcif erol were restored to control concentration by adding 2.1 mg d-alpha-t ocopheryl acetate and 0.06 mu g ergocalciferol per gram of olestra, re spectively, to the diet. Olestra reduced serum concentrations of 25-hy droxyergocalciferol, carotenoids and phylloquinone in a dose-responsiv e manner but did not affect Gla excretion, plasma des-gamma-carboxypro thrombin and prothrombin concentrations, overall vitamin D status, vit amin B-12 absorption or iron status. Laboratory evaluations showed no olestra-related effects. Subjects in all groups reported mild to moder ately severe transient gastrointestinal symptoms. These symptoms did n ot affect study compliance or the integrity of the data.