Reduction in serum total and LDL cholesterol concentrations by a dietary fiber and polyphenol-rich grape product in hypercholesterolemic rats

• Published in: Nutrition research (New York, N.Y.) N.Y.), 1999-09, Vol.19 (9), p.1371-1381
• Main Authors: Martín-Carrón, Nuria, Goñi, Isabel, Larrauri, Jose A., García-Alonso, Alejandra, Saura-Calixto, Fulgencio
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: animal models; Biological and medical sciences; blood chemistry; blood lipids; Cholesterol; dietary fiber; dietary supplements; Disorders of blood lipids. Hyperlipoproteinemia; food intake; high density lipoprotein; hypercholesterolemia; low density lipoprotein; Medical sciences; Metabolic diseases; Polyphenols; Rats; Serum lipoproteins; triacylglycerols
• ISSN: 0271-5317; 1879-0739
• DOI: 10.1016/S0271-5317(99)00094-9

The cholesterol lowering effect of a dietary fiber and polyphenols rich product (DFPP) was evaluated in normo- and hypercholesterolemic rats. Four groups of six adult male Wistar rats were fed a purified cholesterol-free diet and 1g/100 g cholesterol-added diets, containing 5 g/100 g diet cellulose or 10 g/100 g diet DFPP as a source of dietary fiber for 4 weeks. Feeding the cholesterol-free diets supplemented with DFPP had no effect on serum cholesterol nor in LDL-cholesterol concentrations. On the contrary, HDL-cholesterol concentration was significantly higher in rats fed DFPP than in the unsupplemented group. In hypercholesterolemic rats, serum total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol concentrations were significantly lower in the DFPP-supplemented group than in the unsupplemented group. HDL-cholesterol concentrations were not affected by feeding of DFPP in hypercholesterolemic diets. No effect of DFPP on serum triglycerides was observed. In both diets, HDL:LDL ratio tended to be higher and atherogenic index ([Total cholesterol − HDL-cholesterol] × HDL-cholesterol −1) lower in the DFPP-fed groups as compared to their controls. These results indicate that the DFPP reduce serum total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol, as well as the atherogenic index, in hypercholesterolemic rats.