Effects of a lupin protein concentrate on lipids, blood pressure and insulin resistance in moderately dyslipidaemic patients : a randomised controlled trial

The study had the objective of evaluating the effects of a lupin protein concentrate on plasma lipids and other cardiovascular risk factors, e.g. blood pressure and insulin resistance, compared to a skimmed milk powder. Fifty subjects followed a randomised, parallel, double-blind, single-centre study, consisting in a 12-week intervention: half of the participants consumed a lupin protein concentrate (30 g/day of protein), the other half a lactose-free skimmed milk powder (30 g/day of protein), both integrated into a mixed low-lipid diet. At the end of intervention, both groups showed similar reductions of total cholesterol concentrations versus baseline (-6.7%, and -7.2%, respectively), but the reductions of LDL-cholesterol (-8.0%), non-HDL-cholesterol (-7.5%), and proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) (-12.7%) levels were statistically significant only after the lupin diet. A significant reduction of HDL-cholesterol concentration was observed only after the milk diet. The differences between the two groups, however, were not statistically significant.