Cholesterol-lowering activity of linear- and gel-type sodium polyacrylate as dietary fiber models

• Published in: The Journal of nutritional biochemistry 1997-06, Vol.8 (6), p.351-354
• Main Authors: Yamaguchi, Hidemasa, Kawano, Mituyoshi, Yohko, Sugawa-Katayama, Kusuda, Kousuke
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; cholesterol-lowering activity; cross-linked sodium polyacrylate; dietary fiber model; Feeding. Feeding behavior; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; gel-type sodium polyacrylate; serum cholesterol; serum cholesterol levels; Vertebrates: anatomy and physiology, studies on body, several organs or systems
• ISSN: 0955-2863; 1873-4847
• DOI: 10.1016/S0955-2863(97)00023-5

Effects of linear- and gel-type (cross-linked) sodium polyacrylate and partially desalted sodium polyacrylates on serum cholesterol levels were investigated in rats fed cholesterol-free diets. Gel-type sodium polyacrylate had the lowest serum cholesterol concentration among the experimental groups. In the case of partially desalted gel-type sodium polyacrylate, the serum cholesterol-lowering effect was not found. It was thought that the water-holding capacity caused the cholesterol-lowering activity. The linear-type sodium polyacrylate and partially desalted ones reduced the serum cholesterol levels significantly ( P < 0.05). The effects of the degree of polymerization of linear-type sodium polyacrylates on serum cholesterol levels were observed, but the differences among them were not significant ( P < 0.05). In the case of linear-type sodium polyacrylate, their viscosity was more effective on cholesterol lowering than water-holding capacity was. Diets of 1% sodium polyacrylates did not approximately affect the body weight gain and visceral organ weight.