Cationic hydroxyethyl cellulose (cHEC)
was supplemented in a high-fat diet to determine if this ne
w soluble fiber had an effect on hypercholesterolemia
and dyslipidemia associated
with cardiovascular disease using
Golden Syrian hamster as an animal model. Supplementation of 3鈥?% cHEC in a high-fat diet for 4
weeks led to significant
weight gain reduction in hamsters. In addition, significant decreases in adipose
and liver
weights, concentrations of plasma total, VLDL,
and LDL cholesterol,
and hepatic lipids
were sho
wn. No significant improvements in glucose
and insulin levels
were observed
with cHEC; ho
wever, a significant increase in plasma adiponectin
and a decrease in leptin
were observed. As compared
with controls, 8% cHEC-fed hamsters had greater levels of mRNA for
CYP7A1 (cytochrome P450 7A1; 2-fold of control;
P < 0.05),
CYP51 (lanosterol 14伪-demethylase; 6-fold of control;
P < 0.05),
and LDLR (LDL receptor; 1.5-fold of control) in the liver. These findings suggest the possibility of the use of cHEC for cholesterol reduction
and beneficial effects on the cardiovascular risk factors.
Keywords:
hamsters; soluble dietary fiber; hypocholesterolemic effect; dyslipidemia; cardiovascular disease