Water extract of defatted rice bran suppresses visceral fat accumulation in rats

Rice bran has been reported to inhibit pancreatic lipase activity in vitro. This action shows that administration of rice bran may result in a decreas e in plasma triglyceride levels and suppress accumulation of fat in vivo. W e administered water extract of defatted rice bran (WED-rice bran) to rats to determine its effects. Single administration of WED-rice bran at a dose of 1 g/kg body weight caused a decrease in plasma triglyceride levels in fa t emulsion induced hypertriglyceridemic rats. Four week administration of W ED-rice bran suppressed accumulation of visceral fat and body weight gain w ithout influencing food consumption, liver function, and renal function. Th ese results indicate that a reduction of plasma triglycerides and suppressi on of visceral fat accumulation may be induced by pancreatic lipase inhibit ion caused by administration of WED-rice bran.