Cholesterol-lowering effect of phytosterol-containing lactic-fermented milk powder in hamsters

• Published in: Food chemistry 2010-04, Vol.119 (3), p.1121-1126
• Main Authors: Chien, Yung Liang, Wu, Liang Yi, Lee, Tsung Cheng, Hwang, Lucy Sun
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: animal models; atherogenic index; Blood lipid; blood lipids; cholesteremic effect; cholesterol; diet-related diseases; dried milk; excretion; experimental diets; Fermented milk; hamsters; high cholesterol diet; high fat diet; human diseases; human nutrition; Hypercholesterolemia; lactic fermentation; LDL-C/HDL-C; lipid content; liver; nutrient intake; Phytosterol; phytosterols; triacylglycerols
• ISSN: 0308-8146; 1873-7072
• DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2009.08.023

Male hamsters were fed six different diets for 4 weeks. Group 1, fed with control diet of regular rodent chow. Group 2, fed with high-fat-high-cholesterol diet containing cholesterol and corn/coconut oil mixture. Group 3, the positive control fed with high-fat-high-cholesterol diet containing 0.74% (w/w) phytosterols. Groups 4–6 were the high-fat-high-cholesterol diet mixed with phytosterol-containing lactic-fermented milk powder (PSFMP) which contains 0.37%, 0.74% and 1.85% (w/w) of phytosterols, respectively. Results demonstrated that PSFMP could significantly decrease ( P < 0.05– P < 0.001) the levels of total cholesterol (serum cholesterol), serum triacylglycerol, liver lipids and atherogenic index (LDL-C/HDL-C), while it could also significantly ( P < 0.001) increase the level of fecal cholesterol. The pronounced hypolipidemic effects of PSFMP might be attributed to its ability to enhance cholesterol excretion. These results suggest that PSFMP could be used as a potential cholesterol-lowering ingredient in the management of hypercholesterolemia.