EFFECTS OF SKIM MILK AND ITS FERMENTED PRODUCT BY LACTOBACILLUS-ACIDOPHILUS ON PLASMA AND LIVER LIPID-LEVELS IN DIET-INDUCED HYPERTRIGLYCERIDEMIC RATS

Effects of skim milk and its fermented product by Lactobacillus acidop hilus on plasma and liver triglyceride and cholesterol levels were exa mined in diet-induced hypertriglyceridemic rats. Male Sprague-Dawley r ats at 4 weeks of age were fed a hypertriglyceridemic diet that contai ned 20% coconut oil, 17.5% fructose, and 17.5% sucrose for 14 days. Th e test diet was supplemented with either 20% skim milk powder or 20% p owder of skim milk fermented by L. acidophilus SET 2062. Hypertriglyce ridemia was observed in the control group, but plasma cholesterol leve ls were not increased. Skim milk suppressed the elevation of plasma tr iglyceride levels, while its fermented product had no significant, eff ect. Both dairy products prevented the elevation of liver triglyceride and cholesterol levels, but had no effect on plasma cholesterol level s.