Propionate may mediate the hypocholesterolemic effects of certain soluble plant fibers in cholesterol-fed rats.
The effects of propionate on serum and liver lipid concentrations were studied in cholesterol-fed rats. Both serum and liver cholesterol levels were significantly lower in rats fed the cholesterol-propionate diet than in rats fed the cholesterol diet without propionate. Liver triglyceride levels were also significantly lower in the propionate-treated group. Serum triglyceride concentrations were not influenced by the propionate feeding. Propionate intake was not associated with histologic changes in liver tissue. This study indicates that 0.5% sodium propionate-supplemented diets slightly but significantly reduced cholesterol accumulation in both serum and liver of cholesterol-fed rats. Thus propionate, a metabolic product of fiber fermentation, may mediate some of the hypocholesterolemic effects of certain soluble plant fibers.
D000818:Animals; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D002791:Cholesterol, Dietary / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004043:Dietary Fiber / Q000494:pharmacology*; D050356:Lipid Metabolism; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D011422:Propionates / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000378:metabolism
D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D002791:Cholesterol, Dietary; D004043:Dietary Fiber; D011422:Propionates; D014280:Triglycerides; D002784:Cholesterol; C514135:sodium propionate; C029658:propionic acid