title: Antioxidative functions of natto, a kind of fermented soybeans: effect on LDL oxidation and lipid metabolism in cholesterol-fed rats.
abstract: Natto water-soluble fractions, low-molecular-weight viscous substance, and soybean water extract, which had an inhibitory effect on the oxidation of low-density lipoproteins (LDL) in vitro, were fed to rats for 3 weeks. These fractions had no influence on the growth of rats, which were fed a basal diet containing 1% cholesterol, but lowered plasma triglyceride and total cholesterol. Inhibition of copper-oxidation of plasma and LDL ex vivo, and a reduction in lipid peroxidation in liver and aorta in vivo, were also observed. The antioxidant enzymes were not induced in rats fed natto fraction diets. These results demonstrate that ingestion of the natto fractions led to inhibition of LDL oxidation, and that the fractions perform direct antioxidant action in the body. It is suggested that natto fractions might help to prevent arteriosclerosis, as they appear to reduce lipid peroxidation and improve lipid metabolism.
authors.affiliation: Biotechnology Section, Aomori Advanced Industrial Technology Center, 4-11-6, Daini-tonyamachi, Aomori 030-0113, Japan.
authors.forename: Kunihisa
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Iwai
authors.forename: Natsuko
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Nakaya
authors.forename: Yoshihiro
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kawasaki
authors.forename: Hajime
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Matsue
mesh_terms: D000975:Antioxidants / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001011:Aorta / Q000378:metabolism; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D002791:Cholesterol, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D003300:Copper / Q000737:chemistry; D005230:Fatty Acids, Nonesterified / Q000097:blood; D005285:Fermentation; D005978:Glutathione / Q000097:blood; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase / Q000378:metabolism; D007700:Kinetics; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects*; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000097:blood* / Q000737:chemistry; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000097:blood; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry; D013025:Glycine max / Q000737:chemistry*; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism; D017392:Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances / Q000032:analysis; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D002791:Cholesterol, Dietary; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D005230:Fatty Acids, Nonesterified; D008055:Lipids; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; D010743:Phospholipids; D010936:Plant Extracts; D017392:Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances; D014280:Triglycerides; D003300:Copper; D002784:Cholesterol; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D005978:Glutathione