Reduction in serum total and LDL cholesterol concentrations by a dietary fiber and polyphenol-rich grape product in hypercholesterolemic rats

The cholesterol lowering effect of a dietary fiber and polyphenols rich pro duct (DFPP) was evaluated in normo- and hypercholesterolemic rats. Four gro ups of six adult male Wistar rats were fed a purified cholesterol-free diet and 1g/100 g cholesterol-added diets, containing 5 g/100 g diet cellulose or 10 g/100 g diet DFPP as a source of dietary fiber for 4 weeks. Feeding t he cholesterol-free diets supplemented with DFPP had no effect on serum cho lesterol nor in LDL-cholesterol concentrations. On the contrary, HDL-choles terol concentration was significantly higher in rats fed DFPP than in the u nsupplemented group. In hypercholesterolemic rats, serum total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol concentrations were significantly lower in the DFPP-sup plemented group than in the unsupplemented group. HDL-cholesterol concentra tions were not affected by feeding of DFPP in hypercholesterolemic diets. N o effect of DFPP on serum triglycerides was observed. In both diets, HDL:LD L ratio tended to be higher and atherogenic index ([Total cholesterol - HDL -cholesterol].x HDL-cholesterol(-1)) lower in the DFPP-fed groups as compar ed to their controls. These results indicate that the DFPP reduce serum tot al cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol, as well as the atherogenic index, in hy percholesterolemic rats. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Inc.