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Figure 5 Effect of Diet Supplementation on Plant Sterol Concentrations in Plasma and Aortic Valves in Humans

Plasma and tissue analysis of cholesterol and plant sterol concentrations in 82 consecutive patients undergoing elective aortic valve surgery determined by gas liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. (A) Correlation of sitosterol to campesterol in aortic valve cusps (r = 0.98; p < 0.0001). (B) Correlation of campesterol to cholesterol ratios between plasma and aortic valves (r = 0.76; p < 0.0001). Concentrations of sitosterol and campesterol in aortic valve cusps of patients using sterol ester–enriched margarine: open circles = no intake of sterol ester–enriched margarine (n = 72); solid circles = irregular intake of sterol ester–enriched margarine (n = 4); solid squares = regular intake of sterol ester–enriched margarine (n = 6). Effect of frequency of sterol-enriched margarine consumption on (C) plasma and (D) aortic valve tissue campesterol concentrations and campesterol to cholesterol ratios in plasma and tissue (E and F). *p < 0.01 compared with "no use." Values are mean ± SEM.