DIETARY PERSIMMON IMPROVES LIPID-METABOLISM IN RATS FED DIETS CONTAINING CHOLESTEROL

The effect of dietary persimmon (Pers, 7.0%) on lipid metabolism and a ntioxidant activity was investigated in 40 male Wistar rats adapted to cholesterol-free or 1% cholesterol diets. The rats were divided in fo ur groups of 10. The basal diet contained wheat starch, casein, soybea n oil, and mineral and vitamin mixtures. The control group (C) consume d the basal diet. To the basal diet were added 7 g/100 g dry persimmon (Pers), 1 g/100 g cholesterol (Chol), or both (Chol/Pers). The experi ment fasted 4 wk. Plasma total cholesterol (TC), LDL cholesterol (LDL- C), HDL cholesterol (HDL-C), triglycerides (TG), total phospholipids ( TPH), HDL phospholipids (HDL-PH), lipid peroxides (LP) and liver TC co ncentrations were measured. Groups did not differ before the experimen t. In the Chol/Pers vs. Chol group, the persimmon-supplemented diet si gnificantly (P < 0.05) lessened the rise in plasma lipids due to dieta ry cholesterol: TC (3.88 vs. 4.88 mmol/L; -20%), LDL-C (2.24 vs. 3.27 mmol/L; -31%), TG (0.72 vs. 0.89 mmol/L; -19%), LP (2.20 vs. 3.25 mmol /L; -32%) and TC in liver (32.8 vs. 49.9 mu mol/g; -34%), (P < 0.001). The Chol/Pers diet significantly reduced the decrease in HDL-PH due t o dietary cholesterol (0.73 vs. 0.58 mmol/L; -25.8%, P < 0.001) and de creased the level of TPH (1.32 vs. 1.73 mmol/L; -23%, P < 0.001). Pers immon in rats fed the basal diet without cholesterol did not significa ntly affect the variables measured. These results demonstrate that per simmon possesses hypolipidemic and antioxidant properties that are evi dent when persimmon is added to the diet of rats fed cholesterol. Thes e properties are attributed to its water-soluble dietary fiber, carote noids and polyphenols.