Dose response in serum and liver lipids to graded levels of soluble fi
ber primarily from psyllium was studied in five groups of hamsters fed
diets supplemented with 0.125% cholesterol and 1.1%, 2.1%, 3.3%, and
4.3% psyllium soluble fiber for three weeks. Compared to the control g
roup fed AACC soft white wheat bran only, all psyllium-fed groups had
significant reduction in serum total cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol (
p<0.0001) but there were no significant changes in triglycerides and H
DL: total cholesterol ratios. Mean reduction in serum total cholestero
l relative to the control group in response to graded doses of psylliu
m in the diet was linear (r = 0.99, p < 0.001), equivalent to 11% redu
ction per gram of soluble fiber from psyllium. Differences in liver we
ight and concentration of liver lipids (free cholesterol, esterified c
holesterol, triglycerides, total lipids) were significant among groups
(p<0.005). Liver weight, esterified cholesterol and total lipids (mg/
g liver) were correlated positively (r=0.60, 0.85, 0.66 respectively,
p<0.0001), but liver triglycerides negatively (r=-0.34, p<0.005), with
serum total cholesterol.