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Red algae biomass lowers plasma cholesterol levels in hamsters consuming hypercholesterolemia inducing diets
Author(s) -
Harding Scott V,
Zhao Hai Lin,
Marinangeli Christopher P.F.,
Jain Deepak,
Day Anthony G.,
Dillon Harrison F.,
Jones Peter J. H.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.22.2_supplement.702
Subject(s) - cholesterol , medicine , endocrinology , chemistry , hamster , biology
Elevated LDL‐C is a primary risk factor for atherosclerotic disease; therefore identifying dietary components capable of reducing its circulating levels is important. Our objective was to examine if a dose dependant relationship exists between P. cruentum biomass (PC) consumption and circulating lipid levels in hamsters fed hypercholesterolemic diets for 28 days. Cholesterol fractional synthesis rate (FSR) did not differ between treatment and controls while cholesterol tracer absorption was increased 22% (P < 0.001) in hamsters consuming 2.5% PC relative to controls. PC consumption also lowered (P < 0.001) % body fat in the 5% and 10% PC groups compared to controls. These data show that PC reduces plasma total cholesterol and non‐HDL cholesterol when incorporated into the diet at levels as low as 2.5% in hamsters. The mechanism for this reduction maybe related to increased efflux since cholesterol FSR and absorption were not reduced in animals receiving the PC.