Simultaneous intake of oat bran and atorvastatin reduces their efficacy to lower lipid levels and atherosclerosis in LDLr-deficient mice

Background: Both oat bran, rich in the water-soluble fiber β- glucan, and statins lower serum total and LDL cholesterol levels, but with different mechanisms of action. Therefore, the compounds may lower cholesterol levels additively when used simultaneously.1However, there might be a risk for a reduced statin bioavailability when oat bran is added to the diet.2Objectives: The present study aimed to investigate the effects of separate and simultaneous dietary intake of atorvastatin (ATO) and oat bran on serum and hepatic lipid levels and the degree of atherosclerosis in LDL-receptor-deficient (LDLr - / - ) mice. Methods: Ninety female LDLr - / - mice were fed aWestern-type diet containing either a low dose (0.0025%), a high dose (0.01%) or no ATO, with or without oat bran (27%) (n=15 per group) for 16 weeks. Results: Separate effects of low/high dose ATO and oat bran on total cholesterol were significant from week 2 onwards, with p for trend