Effect of a novel insulinotropic agent, succinic acid monoethyl ester, on lipids and lipoproteins levels in rats with streptozotocin-nicotinamide-induced type 2 diabetes

In the present study, the effect of succinic acid monoethyl ester (EMS) on the pattern of lipids and lipoproteins in streptozotocin-nicotinamide induced type 2 diabetes was investigated. Type 2 diabetes was induced in male Wistar rats by single intraperitoneal injection (i.p.) of 45 mg/kg streptozotocin, 15 min after the i.p administration of 110 mg/kg body weight of nicotinamide. The carboxylic nutrient EMS was administered intraperitonially at a dose of 8 Μmol/g body weight for 30 days. At the end of experimental period, the effect of EMS on plasma glucose, insulin, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and hydroperoxide (HP) and serum triglycerides (TG), phospholipids (PL), free fatty acids (FFA), total cholesterol (TC), very low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (VLDL-C) and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) and the percentage of antiatherogenic index (AAI) (ratio of HDL-C to total cholesterol) were studied. Administration of EMS to diabetic rats resulted in a signi. cant reduction in the elevated levels of plasma glucose, TBARS and hydroperoxides as well as TG, PL, FFA, TC, VLDL-C and LDC-C levels. The decreased plasma insulin and serum HDL-C and percentage of AAI in diabetic rats were also reversed towards near normal. The effect produced by EMS was compared with metformin, a reference drug. The results indicates that the administration of EMS and metformin to nicotinamide-streptozotocin diabetic rats normalized plasma glucose, insulin concentrations and caused marked improvement in altered lipids, lipoprotein and lipid peroxidation markers during diabetes. Our results show the antihyperlipidemic properties of EMS and metformin in addition to its antidiabetic action. Moreover, the antihyperlipidemic effect could represent a protective mechanism against the development of atherosclerosis.     

Antidyslipidemic action of fenofibrate in dyslipidemic-diabetic hamster model

Fenofibrate is the ligand for PPARalpha subtype that mediates the action of its agonists' in lipid metabolism. How fibrate exerts hypolipidemic effect? The mechanism is studied in a newly developed high-fat fructose enriched diet induced dyslipidemia-diabetic hamster model. Fenofibrate lowered the basal plasma lipids like TC, TG, PL, FFA, glycerol, VLDL, and LDL, but HDL was increased. The activity of lipoprotein lipase in liver, adipose tissue, and small intestine was upregulated. However, that of triglyceride lipase was downregulated in liver. It has also improved the insulin secretion and plasma glucose lowering, caused by impairment in insulin secretion due to high-fat load. The drug was found effective in reducing body weight and diet due to rise in leptin level. Fenofibrate also enhanced the fecal excretion of total lipids, cholic acid, and deoxycholic acid probably by the activation of 7alpha cholesterol hydroxylase enzyme. Thus, causing broad-spectrum lipid lowering along with inhibition of hepatic lipid biosynthesis and maintaining lipid-glucose homeostasis.     

The mechanism underlying the hypocholesterolaemic activity of aqueous celery extract, its butanol and aqueous fractions in genetically hypercholesterolaemic RICO rats

Drinking aqueous celery extract for 8 weeks caused a significant reduction in serum total cholesterol (TC) level in growing genetically hypercholesterolaemic (RICO) rats. In addition, administration of butanol fraction (Fbu) and aqueous fraction (Faq) of celery extract for 7 days by intraperitoneal (i.p.) infusion effectively decreased the serum TC and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels of adult RICO rats. The 8-week study showed that oral intake of celery extract could enhance the 14C-cholesterol/metabolites excretion. The liver and small intestinal sterol synthesis were not affected. Also, long term drinking of aqueous celery extract did not lead to any undesirable side effects on liver functions. The Fbu and Faq lowered serum TC level mainly through increased bile acid excretion but not by modulating the activity of the rate-limiting enzyme for cholesterol biosynthesis, HMG-CoA reductase. Hence, the mechanism elucidated supports that suggested by the 8-week study. A preliminary chemical characterisation of Fbu and Faq fractions by thin layer chromatography (TLC) showed the presence of sugars and amino acids. There is a possibility that polar compounds with sugar or amino acid side chains(s) could contribute to the hypocholesterolaemic action of celery extract.     

中老年男性患者血脂代谢特点及与年龄等因素的相关分析

目的:探讨中老年男性患者血脂代谢特点及与年龄等因素的相关性。方法:资料来自2006年6月于我院干部门诊进行健康查体的1603例中老年男性患者(排除正在服用降脂药物的患者),采用全自动生化分析仪对血清总胆固醇(TC)、血清甘油三酯(TG)、血清低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-c)、血清高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-c)、空腹血糖(FBG)、血肌酐(Cr)及血尿酸(UA)等指标进行测定,同时记录身高、体重及血压等基本资料。结果:入选患者血脂异常总检出率为56.27%,其中TC、TG、HDL-c及LDL-c异常检出率分别为36.74%、28.20%、10.79%及6.92%,以TC、TG异常为主。与50~59岁组相比,80岁以上高龄老年组TG异常及HDL-c异常检出率显著降低,TC及TG水平显著降低,HDL-c水平显著升高(P<0.05)。在校正BMI、SBP、DBP、UA、FBG及CCr等危险因素影响后的多元线性回归分析发现,年龄每升高10岁,TC、TG分别降低约0.097 mmol/L及0.087 mmol/L,HDL-c升高约0.113 mmol/L。结论:中老年男性患者血脂异常以高TC和高TG为主,TC、TG与年龄呈负相关,HDL-c与年龄呈正相关,需针对高龄老年患者血脂代谢特点进行合理调脂治疗。     

Chinese green tea lowers cholesterol level through an increase in fecal lipid excretion

Lung Chen Tea, a Chinese green tea, has been found to lower serum and liver cholesterol. In this study, its dose response and mechanisms of action on cholesterol lowering in diet-induced hypercholesterolemic Sprague-Dawley rats were investigated. The activities of three major lipid metabolizing enzymes, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-Co A) reductase, cholesterol 7alpha-hydroxylase and fatty acid synthase (FAS), as well as fecal excretion of bile acids and cholesterol were examined. Lung Chen Tea administration for eight weeks significantly lowered the serum cholesterol in the 2% and 4% groups. The activities of the three enzymes were not affected by Lung Chen Tea, but the fecal bile acids and cholesterol excretions were significantly increased. These results demonstrated that Lung Chen Tea lowered plasma cholesterol by increasing fecal bile acids and cholesterol excretion. Further investigation is required to evaluate the exact mechanisms of action of Lung Chen Tea.     

Effects of the diet consumed during the pregnancy on the lipids content in maternal and fetal rat lungs.

This study was designed to determine if the quantity of lipids in the diet fed to pregnant rats would affect the deposition of fat in the fetal lung. Wistar rats were fed with two different diets during pregnancy: Standard Diet (StD; 4.000 cal/g) and High Fat Carbohydrate Free Diet (HFCFD; 6.000 cal/g). The rats consumed daily the same amount of calories from these different diets. The concentrations of triglycerides (TG), phospholipids (PL), total, esterified and free cholesterol (TC, EC and FC, respectively) were determined in serum and lung from pregnant rats as well as from their 19 day old fetuses. In the serum of rats fed with HFCFD, the cholesterol concentration increased in relation to that of rats fed with StD. In pregnant rat lung, the PL concentrations decreased and the TC, EC and FC concentrations increased with HFCFD in relation to StD. The triglycerides were not modified in any case. The lipidic composition of the sera and fetal lung were not changed by the two diets consumed by pregnant rats. This may be a biological protective mechanism to assure an adequate synthesis of alveolar surfactant.     

Regulation of hepatic secretion of very low density lipoprotein by dietary cholesterol.

Male rats were fed a cholesterol-free diet or the same diet supplemented with either 0.05, 0.1, 0.25, 0.5, 1, or 2% C for 21 days to investigate the effects of cholesterol on secretion of very low density lipoprotein (VLDL). Cholesterol feeding increased plasma and hepatic concentrations of triglyceride (TG) and cholesteryl esters (CE) in a dose-dependent manner. Plasma VLDL and low density lipoprotein (LDL) lipids were elevated by cholesterol feeding, while the high density lipoprotein (HDL) lipids were reduced. The secretion of the VLDL by perfused livers from these cholesterol-fed rats was examined to establish the relationship between the accumulation of lipids in the liver and the concurrent hyperlipemia. Liver perfusions were carried out for 4 h with a medium containing bovine serum albumin (3% w/v), glucose (0.1% w/v), bovine erythrocytes (30% v/v), and a 10-mCi 3H2O initial pulse. Oleic acid was infused to maintain a concentration of 0.6 mM. Hepatic secretion of VLDL-TG, PL (phospholipid), free cholesterol (FC), and CE increased in proportion to dietary cholesterol and was maximal at 0.5% cholesterol in these experiments in which TG synthesis was stimulated by oleic acid. Secretion of VLDL protein and apoB by the perfused liver was also increased. The molar ratios of surface (sum of PL and cholesterol) to core (sum of TG and CE) lipid components of the secreted VLDL, regardless of cholesterol feeding, were the same, as were the mean diameters of the secreted particles. The molar ratios of surface to core lipid of VLDL isolated from the plasma also were not affected by cholesterol feeding. During perfusion with oleic acid of livers from the rats fed the higher levels of cholesterol, the hepatic concentration of CE decreased, while the level of TG was not changed. We conclude that the hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia that occur in vivo from cholesterol feeding, concurrent with accumulation of CE and TG in the liver, must result, in part, from increased hepatic secretion of all VLDL lipids and apoB. The VLDL particles produced by the liver of the cholesterol-fed rat are assembled without modification of the surface lipid ratios (PL/FC), but contain a greater proportion of cholesteryl esters compared to triglyceride in the core, because of the stimulated transport of CE from the expanded pool in the liver.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

昆布（海带）对高脂血症大鼠血脂的调节作用和机制

目的：探讨昆布（海带）在实验性高脂血症大鼠中的降血脂作用和机制。方法：健康雌性Wistar大鼠40只,应用高脂饲料喂养方法建立高脂血症动物模型,海带粉饲料喂养干预治疗。生化法检测大鼠血清甘油三酯（TG）、总胆固醇（TC）、低密度脂蛋白（LDL）和高密度脂蛋白（HDL）水平。硫代巴比妥酸法和硝酸还原酶法分别检测脂质过氧化物丙二醛（MDA）和一氧化氮（NO）含量,黄嘌呤氧化酶法和化学比色法分别测定超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）和谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶（GSH-PX）活性。结果：经海带干预治疗后,动物血清TG、TC和LDL水平较模型组显著降低、HDL水平显著升高（P〈0.05）。治疗组动物血清和肝组织MDA和NO水平显著低于、而SOD和GSH-PX活性均显著高于模型组（P〈0.05）。结论：海带可能影响TG、TC、LDL和HDL等组分的代谢,通过增强抗氧化SOD和GSH-PX的活性,降低体内MDA和NO的水平,发挥调节血脂水平的作用。     

Role of phytoestrogenic oils in alleviating osteoporosis associated with ovariectomy in rats

The objective of this study was to elucidate the effect of soybean oil (SbO) and sesame oil (SO) supplemented diets on bone biomarkers changes in OVX (ovariectomized) rats. The current data exhibited significant decrease in BMD (bone mineral density), accompanied with marked depletion in the level of Ca, P and Mg in both serum and bone of OVX rats. Also, serum estrogen, total protein, HDL-C (high density lipoprotein cholesterol), bone NO levels were decreased in OVX rats. However, a significant increase in the level of serum TL (total lipids), TC (total cholesterol), TG (triglycerides), LDL-C (low density lipoprotein cholesterol), VLDL-C (very low density lipoprotein cholesterol), urine minerals (Ca, P, Mg), as well as serum, bone and urine ALP (alkaline phosphatase) and ACP (acid phosphatase) activity were recorded in OVX rats. Further changes were also detected by the increased level of urine hydroxyproline, serum parathyroid hormone and osteocalcin, as well as urea and creatinine level in both serum and urine. On the other hand, when OVX rats were fed on SbO (soy bean oil) (15 % w/w) or SO (sesame oil) (10 % w/w) supplemented diets, the data recorded a significant improvement in all the above mentioned parameters. So, it can be concluded that consumption of SbO or SO supplemented diets might be considered as a functional food for retarding risks of osteoporosis associated with estrogen deficiency in OVX states.     

聚焦超声辐射高血脂大鼠涌泉穴对血脂水平的影响

目的研究聚焦超声辐射涌泉穴对血脂的影响.方法采用高脂饲料喂养建立高血脂大鼠模型,通过聚焦超声辐射高血脂模型大鼠涌泉穴,测定大鼠血清总胆固醇(tota cholesterol, TC)、甘油三脂 (triacylglycerol, TG)、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(high density lipoprotein, HDL-c)和低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(low density lipoprotein, LDL-c)等指标.结果检测血清TC、TG、HDL-C、LDL-C水平,聚焦超声辐照涌泉穴可明显降低高血脂模型大鼠血清TC、TG(P＜0.05),而超声治疗组和针刺组无明显差异.结论聚焦超声辐射高血脂大鼠的涌泉穴位,可明显降低TC、TG,有调节血脂的作用.     

Plasma lipids and apolipoproteins A and B in human pregnancy

A cross sectional study was carried out in 200 normal pregnant women between 8-40th weeks of gestation, 25 women during delivery and 25 women 6 weeks after delivery. Plasma and lipoprotein lipids were measured using standard procedures. Apolipoprotein A (Apo A) and Apolipoprotein B (Apo B), were measured by electroimmunoassay. Plasma levels of Apo A were elevated in pregnant women but the elevations were not significant until 17-20 weeks of gestation. Apo A during pregnancy was significantly correlated (p less than 0.001) with high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). The level of Apo B increased progressively during pregnancy and it was significantly correlated (p less than 0.001) with total cholesterol (TC), plasma triglycerides (TG) and phospholipids (PL). Apo A and Apo B levels returned to non pregnant values within the puerperium, whereas TC, TG and PL remained significantly elevated above controls (p less than 0.01) 6 weeks post partum.     

Influence of Saturated and Polyunsaturated Egg Yolk Phospholipids on Hyperlipidemia in Rats

The supplementation of egg yolk phospholipid (PL) containing phosphatidylcholine (PC) and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) to a cholesterol-free purified diet causes a reduction in the serum cholesterol level in rats [J. Nutr., 112,1805 (1982)]. The present study was carried out to determine if dietary egg yolk PL also exerts this hypocholesterolemic action in rats given a high cholesterol diet and if this action is influenced by the constituent fatty acids. Egg yolk PL suppressed the elevation of serum cholesterol irrespective of its fatty acid composition, while purified PC had no effect, suggesting that the ethanolamine portion is responsible for this hypocholesterolemic effect. Egg yolk PL and PC containing longer-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (arachidonic and docosahexaenoic acids) lowered the serum triglyceride level, while their hydrogenated forms did not. The present results, therefore, indicate that the hypolidemic effect of dietary egg yolk PL can be modulated by the combination of the constituent fatty acids as well as the base moieties. This hypolipidemic effect, however, appeared not to be related to the activities of adipocyte lipoprotein lipase and serum lecithin: cholesterol acyltransferase.     

Steroid balance and tissue cholesterol accumulation in germfree and conventional rats fed diets containing saturated and polyunsaturated fats

Steroid balance studies were conducted on 24 conventional and 12 germfree male rats, 90-120 days old, fed diets containing either 20% safflower or 20% coconut oil. Both germfree and conventional rats fed the safflower oil diets had significantly lower serum cholesterol levels and significantly higher liver cholesterol levels than did the rats fed coconut oil. No significant differences in total fecal neutral sterols, coprostanol, Delta(7)-cholestenol, or total fecal bile acid excretion were seen between dietary groups of rats of either status. There was no evidence of qualitative differences in fecal bile acid excretion as a function of diet. The increased liver cholesterol was in the ester form, with cholesteryl linoleate the largest single component. There was no significant difference in the cholesterol content of the skin, muscle, adipose tissue, or gastrointestinal tract. The significance of a large increase in liver cholesteryl ester, lowered serum cholesterol, and no change in steroid excretion is discussed.     

Hypolipidimic and antioxidant activities of oleuropein and its hydrolysis derivative-rich extracts from Chemlali olive leaves

Oleuropein-rich extracts from olive leaves and their enzymatic and acid hydrolysates, respectively rich in oleuropein aglycone and hydroxytyrosol, were prepared under optimal conditions. The antioxidant activities of these extracts were examined by a series of models in vitro. In this study the lipid-lowering and the antioxidative activities of oleuropein, oleuropein aglycone and hydroxytyrosol-rich extracts in rats fed a cholesterol-rich diet were tested. Wistar rats fed a standard laboratory diet or cholesterol-rich diets for 16 weeks were used. The serum lipid levels, the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) level, as indicator of lipid peroxidation, and the activities of liver antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT)) were examined. The cholesterol-rich diet induced hyperlipidemia resulting in the elevation of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). Administration of polyphenol-rich olive leaf extracts significantly lowered the serum levels of TC, TG and LDL-C and increased the serum level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). Furthermore, the content of TBARS in liver, heart, kidneys and aorta decreased significantly after oral administration of polyphenol-rich olive leaf extracts compared with those of rats fed a cholesterol-rich diet. In addition, these extracts increased the serum antioxidant potential and the hepatic CAT and SOD activities. These results suggested that the hypocholesterolemic effect of oleuropein, oleuropein aglycone and hydroxytyrosol-rich extracts might be due to their abilities to lower serum TC, TG and LDL-C levels as well as slowing the lipid peroxidation process and enhancing antioxidant enzyme activity.     

Antihyperlipidemic and antidiabetic effects of umbelliferone in streptozotocin diabetic rats

The aim of the study was to evaluate blood glucose and lipid lowering effects of Umbelliferone (UMB) in streptozotocin (STZ) diabetic rats. Male albino Wistar rats (180 to 200 g) were induced diabetes by administration of STZ (40 mg/kg) intraperitonially. Normal and diabetic rats were treated with UMB in 10 percent dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) for 45 days. Diabetic rats had increased plasma glucose and decreased insulin, total proteins (TP), and albumin in addition to decreased food intake and body weight. Elevation in total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), very low density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C), triglycerides (TG), free fatty acids (FFA), and phospholipids (PL), and reduction in high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) in the plasma were observed. Liver and kidney tissues of diabetic rats had elevation in the levels of TC, TG, FFA, and PL. Treatment with UMB decreased plasma glucose and increased insulin, TP, and albumin apart from food intake and body weight. In UMB-treated diabetic rats, plasma and tissue TC, TG, PL and FFA, and plasma LDL-C, VLDL-C, and HDL-C reversed to near normal. Thus, reduction of blood glucose and lipid profiles indicates that UMB has antidiabetic and antihyperlipidemic effects in diabetic rats.     

The effect of paeoniflorin against lipopolysaccharide-induced oxidative stress and lipid metabolism

Paeoniflorin (PF), a monoterpene glucoside, is one of the main bioactive components extracted from paeony root. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a bacterial endotoxin capable of inducing extensive damage to organs, including the liver, because it stimulates increased production of free radicals and boosts lipid peroxidation. LPS induces the synthesis of several inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, as well as NO and inflammation in the liver of rats. The purpose of this study was to investigate the preventive effects of PF in lipid metabolism. PF of 2.5, 5, and 10 mg/kg concentration was intraperitoneally administered in rats at a dose of 1.5 mL/kg for 20 days. On day 21, 1.5 mL/kg of LPS was injected 4 hours prior to anesthetization. We examined lipid related functions by measurement of the levels of triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), total lipid (TL), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) in serum and malondialdehyde (MDA) in liver tissue. Results showed that LPS treatment increased the values of TG, TC, TL, and MDA, and decreased that of HDL-C. However, as a result of PF pretreatment, high values of TG, TC, TL, and MDA were decreased to low values and a low value of HDL-C was increased to a high value. These results suggested that PF might have potential for use as a natural supplement for improvement of lipid metabolism.     

9758 例健康体检者血糖与血脂的关系分析

目的:探讨健康体检人群血糖与血脂现况及两者之间的相关性。方法:采集我院9758例健康体检者的空腹静脉血,检测其空腹血糖(FPG)、总胆固醇(TC)、甘油三酯(TG)、高密度脂蛋白(HDL-C)和低密度脂蛋白(LDL-C)水平,比较不同FPG水平组间各血脂水平,分析FPG水平与血脂的相关性。结果:各年龄组FPG、TC、TG、HDL-C和LDL-C水平差异均具有统计学意义(P0.05);FPG均与TC、TG和LDL-C水平呈现正相关(r=0.127,0.189,0.141,P0.005),而与HDL-C呈现负相关(r=-0.112,P0.005);根据FPG水平由高到低分为糖尿病(DM)组,血糖调节受损(IFG)组及血糖正常组,其中对TC和LDL-C水平异常率而言,IFG组DM组血糖正常组;对TG、HDL-C水平异常率而言,DM组IFG组血糖正常组。结论:健康人群中血糖和血脂水平呈现一定的相关性,两者的水平异常会增加慢性疾病的发生风险。     

Effects of Dietary PCB and Caffeine on Serum and Liver Lipids and Urinary Ascorbic Acid in Rats after Different Times

Comparison of the effects of dietary PCB (0.03%) and caffeine (0.3%) on serum and liver lipids, and urinary ascorbic acid was done after different times. Serum total cholesterol, liver total lipids and triglyceride (TG) were found to continuously increase at 2, 4, and 8 weeks, but urinary ascorbic acid, serum TG and liver phospholipids were elevated up to 4 weeks in the PCB-fed rats. Liver cholesterol showed a decreasing trend after 2 weeks. On the other hand, dietary caffeine continuously increased serum cholesterol up to 8 weeks. Urinary ascorbic acid remained the same throughout the experimental period, but was significantly higher than in the respective controls at all times. Serum TG also remained the same, but was lower than in the respective controls. Liver total lipids, cholesterol and TG did not change in the caffeine-fed animals. The results clearly indicate that dietary PCB increased all the parameters investigated whereas caffeine elevated serum cholesterol and urinary ascorbic acid, but depressed the serum TG concentration.     

Conjugated docosahexaenoic acid inhibits lipid accumulation in rats

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), which contains a conjugated double-bond system, and n-3 highly unsaturated fatty acids such as docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are widely known to improve lipid metabolism. To examine the possibility that a fatty acid with a combination of these structural features might have stronger physiological effects, we prepared conjugated DHA (CDHA) by alkaline isomerization of DHA and examined its effects on lipid and sugar metabolism in rats. Rats were force fed with 200 mg of test oils [linoleic acid (LA), DHA, CLA or CDHA] everyday for 4 weeks. Compared with the animals from the other groups, those in the CDHA group showed a significant weight loss in white adipose tissue (57% of adipose tissue weight in the LA group) and significant decreases in the levels of liver triacylglycerol (TG; 65% of TG level in the LA group) as well as total cholesterol (TC; 88% of TC level in the LA group), indicating suppression of lipid accumulation in the liver and adipose tissue. In addition, plasma TG and TC levels significantly decreased (69% of TG level and 82% of TC level in the LA group), indicating improved lipid metabolism. In the liver, the fatty acid synthesis system was inhibited and the fatty acid beta-oxidation system was activated, whereas the free fatty acid, glucose and tumor necrosis factor alpha levels in the plasma were lowered following CDHA administration. Hence, intake of CDHA appears to suppress the accumulation of fat in the liver and epididymal adipose tissue and improves lipid and sugar metabolism in rats.     

Antioxidant and hypolipidaemic properties of red seaweed,Gracilaria changii

The edible red seaweed, Gracilaria changii, was collected from the coastal area of Sarawak, Malaysia, and evaluated for its hypolipidaemic properties using high cholesterol/high fat (HF) induced male Sprague–Dawley rats. In the in vivo study, the HF diet group showed significantly higher total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), atherogenic index (AI) and body weight gain as compared to other treatment groups. At the end of treatment period, rats fed with a HF diet supplemented with 5 % freeze-dried G. changii powder had significantly reduced plasma TC (?39.19 %), LDL-C (?36.36 %), and triglycerides (TG) content (? 25.45 %). Meanwhile, 10 % seaweed powder significantly lowered the plasma TC, LDL-C and TG content by ?40.34, ?35.95 and ?30.91 % respectively, compared to the HF group. The AI of rats supplemented with 10 % seaweed powder was the lowest among the treatment groups and indicates a lowered risk for cardiovascular diseases. The plasma lipid peroxidation of the seaweed powder-fed groups was also significantly lower than the HF group, while the erythrocyte enzyme antioxidant activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase of the treatment groups were also improved. Diets supplemented with seaweed powder also decreased plasma aspartate aminotransferase and the alanine aminotransferase levels.