HYPOCHOLESTEROLEMIC EFFECT OF BUCKWHEAT PROTEIN EXTRACT IN RATS FED CHOLESTEROL-ENRICHED DIETS

To investigate the effects of buckwheat protein on cholesterol metabol ism, we prepared an enriched protein extract from buckwheat flour. The rats were fed a cholesterol-rich semipurified diet containing the buc kwheat protein extract, soybean protein or casein as protein source fo r 3 wks. There was no significant difference in food consumption and g rowth rate among the rats fed three protein sources. Plasma cholestero l levels were decreased in the rats fed the buckwheat protein extract diet compared to the rats fed the soybean protein or casein diet. Conc entrations of hepatic cholesterol were also significantly decreased in the rats fed the buckwheat protein extract diet as compared to the ra ts fed other protein diets. These results suggest that buckwheat prote in is one of the dietary factors available for improvement of choleste rol metabolism.