Abstract
BACKGROUND: Amygdalus scoparia kernel (ASK) oil is traditionally used for Hyperlipidemia. Compared to olive oil, it has higher proportion of unsaturated to saturated fatty acid besides exhibiting higher index of oxidative stability. The lipid-lowering effects of ASK oil however, has not been investigated yet. This study is the first one to evaluate such effects in patients with dyslipidemia. RESULTS: Serum triglyceride levels significantly decreased in the intervention compared to control group (24.80 ± 51.70 vs 3.13 ± 44.80, p-value = 0.03). Serum total cholesterol, LDL and HDL cholesterol levels did not change significantly (p = 0.28 and p = 0.68 and p = 0.10 respectively). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a double arm, open-label, randomized controlled trial,101 hyperlipidemic patients were recruited. The designation of hyperlipidemia was upon meeting either of the three criteria: having serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol level 130-190 (mg/dl), serum triglyceride level 150-400 (mg/dl), and serum high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol level less than 50 (mg/dl) for women and 40 (mg/dl) for men. Patients who have ever been prescribed with an antihyperlipidemic medication were excluded. They were randomly assigned to intervention group, receiving the ASK oil, for 60 days and control group. Serum lipid measurements were repeated at the end of the intervention period. CONCLUSIONS: ASK oil supplementation may have a positive effect in reducing serum triglyceride level in patients with dyslipidemia without significant effect on serum cholesterol levels.