Phytochemical Beta-Sitosterol Promotes the Smooth Muscle Functioning

By Kyle J. Norton

Hyperproliferation is a progression of highly invasive tumors associated with an abnormally high rate of cancer cell division, leading to rapid overgrowth of the tumor.

Smooth muscle cells (SMCs) are muscle cells that line the insides of hollow organs such as arteries, lungs, bladder, the digestive system, and the reproductive system.

The proliferation of smooth muscle cells (SMCs) is important process in vascular lesion formation by remodeling the vessel wall in response to injury.

Hyperproliferation or excessive proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells have been found to contribute to the etiology of some diseases, including atherosclerosis, restenosis, and pulmonary hypertension.

In contrast to excessive proliferation, hypo-proliferation is a process that lowers the rate of cancer cell division.

Dr. Sporn MB, the lead scientists, in the study of the proliferative diseases, wrote, "excessive proliferation of cells and turnover of cellular matrix contribute significantly to the pathogenesis of several diseases, including cancer, atherosclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, scleroderma and cirrhosis of the liver".

And, "As corollaries to this concept, the following topics are considered: (1) the role of polypeptide hormones and hormone-like mediators in the initiation, promotion and maintenance of proliferative responses; (2) alterations in collagen metabolism and collagenase activity; (3) the role of proteinases; (4) the potential use of inhibitors of proteinases for prevention of disease; and (5) the potential use of inhibitors of proliferative polypeptide hormones for prevention of disease".

Beta-Sitosterol is a phytochemical in the class of Phytosterols, belonging to the group of Lipids, found abundantly in avocados, rice bran, wheat germ, corn oils, fennel, peanuts, soybeans, hawthorn, basil, buckwheat. etc.

On finding a potential phytochemical for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases, researchers examined the effect of dietary PS on vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) growth and function.

The study included VSMC treated with 16 microM cholesterol, 25-hydroxycholesterol, campesterol, and beta-sitosterol (SIT) with ethanol as a vehicle.

According to the tested results,
* Cholesterol supplementation showed no effect on cell growth and proliferation and 25-Hydroxycholesterol decreased cell growth by 68% and DNA synthesis by 99% compared to SIT that inhibits VSMC growth more effectively than campesterol.

* SIT decreased cell growth by 30%, compared to only 16% of campesterol.

* Furthermore, SIT supplementation decreased DNA synthesis by 25%, compared to no effects of campesterol or cholesterol supplementation.

* SIT decreases the De novo cholesterol synthesis by 49% compared to was decreased 28% of campesterol, and 23% of cholesterol.

* Beta-sitosterol decreased VSMC cholesterol by 41% following supplementation and represented 49% of the total sterol amount.

Based on the results, researchers said, "dietary PS, especially SIT, may offer protection from the VSMC hyperproliferation found in atherosclerosis. Further in vivo research is needed to support these observations".

Taken altogether, beta-Sitosterol may be considered a supplement for the protection of smooth muscle functioning, pending to the confirmation of the larger sample size and multicenter human study.

Intake of beta-Sitosterol in the form of supplements should be taken with extreme care to prevent overdose acute liver toxicity.


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Author Biography
Kyle J. Norton (Scholar, Master of Nutrition, All right reserved)
Health article writer and researcher; Over 10.000 articles and research papers have been written and published online, including worldwide health, ezine articles, article base, health blogs, self-growth, best before it's news, the karate GB daily, etc.,.
Named TOP 50 MEDICAL ESSAYS FOR ARTISTS & AUTHORS TO READ by Disilgold.com Named 50 of the best health Tweeters Canada - Huffington Post
Nominated for shorty award over last 4 years
Some articles have been used as references in medical research, such as international journal Pharma and Bioscience, ISSN 0975-6299.

Sources
(1) Plant sterols regulate rat vascular smooth muscle cell growth and prostacyclin release in culture by Awad AB1, Smith AJ, Fink CS. (PubMed)
(2) Proliferative diseases by Sporn MB, Harris ED Jr. (PubMed)