Hypotriglyceridemic effect of Anka (a fermented rice product of Monascus sp.) in rats

Experimental rats with hypertriglyceridemia were prepared by feeding a high -fructose diet. Dried Anka powder (2%), a rice product fermented with Monas cus sp., was mixed with basic high-fructose (30%) or basal-diet feed. Serum and liver lipids were measured after 6 months. The concentrations of serum triglycerides, total cholesterol, VLDL-C, and LDL-C had significantly decr eased, whereas that of HDL-C had slightly increased in 30% fructose-Anka-fe d rats as compared with the 30% fructose-fed rats, but hepatic lipase activ ity had increased in the Anka-fed groups. The ratio of lipoprotein lipase/h epatic lipase was not significantly different between 30% fructose-Anka-fed rats and 30% fructose-fed rats. The dietary intake and weight of these two groups were approximately the same. Similar results were obtained in nonin duced hypertriglyceridemic rats. The concentrations of triglycerides and ch olesterol did not significantly differ in the liver. Interestingly, Anka ca n suppress serum triglycerides in rats with induced hypertriglyceridemia. T he antioxidant enzyme SOD activity was also measured in serum, and no signi ficant change was observed. On the basis of these findings, we suggest that Anka may be used to suppress hypertriglyceridemia and hyperlipidemia in ra ts and possibly in man.