Effects of β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate (HMB) supplementation on lipid profile in adults: a GRADE-assessed systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Behrad Sadeghi; Hossein Bahari; Hannane Jozi; Mohammad-Ali Hasanzadeh; Dorna Hashemi; Mohammad Vesal Bideshki

doi:10.3389/fnut.2024.1451282

Effects of β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate (HMB) supplementation on lipid profile in adults: a GRADE-assessed systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Front Nutr. 2024 Sep 25:11:1451282. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2024.1451282. eCollection 2024.

Authors

Behrad Sadeghi¹, Hossein Bahari², Hannane Jozi³, Mohammad-Ali Hasanzadeh⁴, Dorna Hashemi⁵, Mohammad Vesal Bideshki^{3

6}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Agricultural, Forest and Food Science (DISAFA), University of Torino, Grugliasco, Torino, Italy.
² Transplant Research Center, Clinical Research Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
³ Student Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
⁴ Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Jiroft University of Medical Sciences, Jiroft, Iran.
⁵ Department of Food Science and Technology, Sarvestan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Sarvestan, Iran.
⁶ Department of Biochemistry and Diet Therapy, School of Nutrition and Food Science, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.

Abstract

Background and aim: The regulation of lipid metabolism is crucial for preventing cardiovascular diseases, which are among the leading causes of mortality worldwide. β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate (HMB) has garnered attention for its potential role in modulating lipid profiles. However, the magnitude of these effects are unclear due to the heterogeneity of the studies. This study aimed to provide a comprehensive overview of the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that have examined the effects of HMB on lipid profiles in adults.

Methods: Databases including PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus, were searched for relevant studies through January 2024. The study protocol was also registered at Prospero (no. CRD42024528549). Based on a random-effects model, we calculated WMDs and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The outcomes assessed included total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). Sensitivity, subgroup and meta-regression analyses were also conducted.

Results: Our analysis included a total of 10 RCTs comprising 421 participants. The pooled data revealed no significant effect of HMB supplementation on TC (WMD: -2.26 mg/dL; 95%CI: -6.11 to 1.58; p = 0.25), TG (WMD: -2.83 mg/dL 95% CI: -12.93 to 7.27; p = 0.58), LDL-C (WMD: 0.13 mg/dL; 95%CI: -3.02 to 3.28; mg; p = 0.94), and HDL-C (WMD: -0.78 mg/dL; 95%CI: -2.04 to 0.48; p = 0.22). The quality of evidence was rated as moderate to low for all outcomes.

Conclusion: The current evidence from RCTs suggests that HMB supplementation does not significantly alter lipid profiles, including TC, TG, LDL-C, and HDL-C. Further research is warranted to confirm these results and explore the potential mechanisms of action of HMB.

Systematic review registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=528549, CRD42024528549.

Keywords: HMB; cardiovascular health; dyslipidemia; lipid profile; meta-analysis; β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate.

Publication types

Systematic Review

Grants and funding

The author(s) declare that financial support was received for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article. The research protocol was approved and supported by the student research committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences (registration code: 75353).