Hypocholesterolemic activity of alpha-amylase hydrolysate of bagasse alkaline extract in rats fed atherogenic diet.
Cholesterol-lowering activity of enzymatic hydrolysate of bagasse alkaline extract was studied in rats fed a cholesterol-enriched diet. The bagasse alkaline extract was found to be vulnerable to the enzymic attack of alpha-amylase. Thus the alkaline extract was degraded into two fractions: long-chain fraction (polysaccharides) and short-chain fraction (oligosaccharides). The long-chain fraction was active in lowering the serum cholesterol level while feeding the short-chain fraction resulted in a slightly elevated serum cholesterol level. The feeding by gavege of the long-chain fraction 12 h after the meal also was effective in lowering serum cholesterol concentration. These findings were compatible with the concept that the bagasse alkaline extract affect the cholesterol dynamics apart from input-output balance of cholesterol. Possible mechanisms responsible for the cholesterol-lowering activity of the extract were discussed.
Oku
H
H
Department of Agricultural Chemistry, University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa, Japan.
Kayano
K
K
Miyagi
M
M
Chinen
I
I
D000681:Amylases / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000378:metabolism*; D001412:Bacillus subtilis / Q000201:enzymology; D001835:Body Weight; D002482:Cellulose; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D004036:Diet, Atherogenic; D005243:Feces; D006868:Hydrolysis; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats
D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts; D002482:Cellulose; C027433:bagasse; D002784:Cholesterol; D000681:Amylases