title: Cholesterol-Lowering Effect of Calcium Alginate in Rats.
abstract: We examined whether calcium alginate (Ca-Alg) reduces blood cholesterol levels in rats fed a high-cholesterol diet. First, we examined taurocholate adsorption in vitro by various types of sodium alginate (Na-Alg). High molecular-weight, guluronic acid-rich Na-Alg showed the greatest adsorption of taurocholate, and therefore the corresponding Ca-Alg was chosen for the in vivo study. Rats were fed a high-cholesterol diet or a Ca-Alg-containing diet for 2 weeks. Body weight and diet intake were measured, and the general condition of the animals was monitored during this period. After 14 d, the plasma concentration of cholesterol, portal plasma concentration of bile acid, and bile acid in feces were measured. The plasma concentration of cholesterol was significantly reduced in rats fed a 2% Ca-Alg-containing diet. Furthermore, the portal concentration of bile acid was significantly lowered in the 2% Ca-Alg group. A tendency for a Ca-Alg concentration-dependent increase in fecal excretion of bile acid was also seen, although it was not statistically significant. While several changes in biochemical parameters and histopathological findings were observed, all the values remained within the physiological range. These results indicate that Ca-Alg is effective in reducing plasma cholesterol. A possible mechanism would be enhanced fecal excretion of bile acid due to reduced intestinal reabsorption, which in turn might stimulate bile acid synthesis from cholesterol in the liver, leading to a decrease in plasma cholesterol.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Pharmacy, Takasaki University of Health and Welfare.
authors.forename: Yoko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Idota
authors.forename: Yumi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kogure
authors.forename: Takako
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kato
authors.forename: Mana
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ogawa
authors.forename: Shoko
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kobayashi
authors.forename: Chihaya
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kakinuma
authors.forename: Kentaro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yano
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Arakawa
authors.forename: Chihiro
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Miyajima
authors.forename: Fumiyoshi
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Kasahara
authors.forename: Takuo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ogihara
mesh_terms: D000464:Alginates / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000818:Animals; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood*; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004811:Epichlorohydrin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020723:Glucuronic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006603:Hexuronic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000627:therapeutic use; D050356:Lipid Metabolism; D008297:Male; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012117:Resins, Synthetic / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013047:Specific Pathogen-Free Organisms
chemical_list: D000464:Alginates; D004041:Dietary Fats; D006603:Hexuronic Acids; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents; D007093:Imidazoles; D012117:Resins, Synthetic; C417427:colestimide; D004811:Epichlorohydrin; D020723:Glucuronic Acid; D002784:Cholesterol