Cholesterol-lowering and antioxidant status-improving efficacy of germinated giant embryonic rice (Oryza sativa L.) in high cholesterol-fed rats.

摘要

The influence of germinated giant embryonic rice consumption on the lipid metabolism and antioxidant system in rats fed a high-cholesterol diet was investigated. 4 groups of rats were given a diet containing 1 g cholesterol/kg for 5 wk. The control group only received a high-cholesterol diet, while the other 3 experimental groups received each of the diets made of germinated giant embryonic rice, giant embryonic rice or conventional brown rice (hereafter referred to as GGE-D, GE-D and BR-D, respectively). Plasma and hepatic lipid profiles were measured, and the antioxidant status of liver was examined. Results showed that the plasma HDL-cholesterol concn. was significantly higher in rats fed GGE-D compared with the source material (GE-D) or BR-D, while there were no differences in the plasma total cholesterol and triglyceride concn. between the groups. Consequently, the atherogenic indices of the GGE-D and GE-D groups were significantly lower than for the other groups. The plasma and hepatic TBARS levels were higher in rats in the order of those fed BR-D > GE-D > GGE-D. While superoxide dismutase and catalase were significantly activated in rats fed both GGE-D and GE-D, glutathione peroxidase was significantly and most effectively activated in those fed GGE-D. These results indicate that consumption of germinated giant embryonic rice is effective in lowering atherosclerosis cardiovascular disease risk.