EFFECT OF CATECHIN ON LIPID-METABOLISM

The effect of catechin on lipid metabolism was investigated in rats. C atechin at doses ranging from 0.1 to 100 mg/kg BW was administered dai ly by gastric intubation to rats fed a normal laboratory diet. Catechi n exerted no negative impact of food intake and thereby no retardation of growth. Maximum hypocholesterolemic activity was detected at a dos e of 10 mg/kg BW/day. The hypocholesterolemic activity of the drug was found not to be due to a decreased cholesterogenesis, but to a higher rate of degradation and excretion of cholesterol.