EFFECTS OF THE LIPID-SACCHARIDE COMPLEX AND UNSAPONIFIABLE MATTER FROM SUNFLOWERS ON LIVER LIPID-METABOLISM AND INTESTINAL FLORA IN RATS

The effects of the flower lipid-saccharide complex and unsaponifiable matter (1g/kg of diet) from the sunflower on liver lipid metabolism an d intestinal flora was studied in rats given cholesterol-enriched diet s. After six weeks of feeling, the microsomal cholesterol concentratio n in the liver had been significantly reduced with the sunflower diet. The ratio of cholesterol/phospholipid was also reduced by the sunflow er diet. The 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase activity of the sunflower groups was significantly lower than that of the contr ol group, There was no significant difference in the cholesterol 7 alp ha-hydroxylase activity, although this tended to increase with dietary sunflower consumption, The number of Bacillus in the cecum flora was significantly higher in the lipid-saccharide complex group than in the other groups, while Bifidobacterium and Eubacterium in the cecum flor a was significantly higher in the unsaponifiable matter group when com pared to the control group, These results suggest that the lipid-sacch aride complex and unsaponifiable matter in the sunflower are related t o liver cholesterol synthesis and intestinal flora.