Perilla oil and exercise decrease expressions of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 and highly sensitive C-reactive protein in patients with hyperlipidemia.

OBJECTIVE

To verify the effects of perilla oil on the regulation of blood lipid levels in patients with hyperlipidemia.

METHODS

Blood was taken from patients prior to and 8 weeks following treatment with perilla oil. Different ways to test for indexes which correlate to hyperlipidemia were performed. Some indexes, which correlate with inflammation and injury to endothelial cells, were tested using enzyme linked immunosorbent assays.

RESULTS

Serum lipid levels [triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C)] changed significantly after 56 days of treatment. Differences were noted as early as 28 days after treatment began (P < 0.05). Treatment with perilla oil showed statistically significant recovery levels of high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) after 28 and 56 days of treatment. Plasma lipids levels were significantly lower after 56 days of treatment (P < 0.05). Perilla oil reduced blood lipid levels in patients, and the regulation of cell signaling factor levels had no adverse effects on patients' liver or kidney function, or blood routine examinations.

CONCLUSIONS

Perilla oil treatment is safe in clinical use, can regulate blood lipid levels and protects the function of endothelial cells.