Journal of Clinical Nutrition & Dietetics

Hypocholesterolemic Activity of Rice Bran Oil in Rats Fed on High Cholesterol Diet

Objective: The aim of this research was to assess the hypocholesterolemic effect of Rice Bran Oil (RBO) in rats fed on high cholesterol diet.

Materials and methods: 35 male rats were divided into 5 groups, group 1 (-ve) control group was given the basal diet, group 2 was given the basal diet with RBO instead of soybean oil as a negative control for RBO. High Cholesterol Diet (HCD) (1% cholesterol powder and 0.5% bile salt) was given to groups 3, 4 and 5 for 8 weeks which divided as following: Group 3 was +ve control, group 4 was given 2% RBO instead of 2% soybean oil and group 5 was 4% RBO instead of soybean oil.

Results: The RBO led to a significant decrease (PË?0.05) in plasma Total Cholesterol (TC), Triglyceride (TG), LDL-C, VLDL and caused significant increase in plasma HDL-C. Also, RBO caused significant activity on decreasing of the Atherogenic Coefficient (AC), Cardiac Risk Ratio (CRR), LDL-c to HDL-c ratio and Atherogenic Index of Plasma (AIP). While, HCD diet led to a significant increase in the serum, liver enzymes AST, ALT and ALP levels. But, RBO caused significant improvement in the liver enzymes. Moreover, RBO led to a significant decrease in serum MDA and elevated serum GST. Otherwise, histopathological examination showed fatty changes caused by HCD, but the RBO led to a significant amelioration in the liver and showed improvement in the heart and aorta of rats compared with the +ve control group.

Conclusion: In conclusion, rice bran oil lowers TC, TG, LDL-C and improve the HDL-C, also RBO reduces the oxidative stress caused by HCD. Hence, the use of RBO as a natural hypocholesterolemic agent is effective in reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Author(s): Reda A. Mokhtar*, El-Banna N. H. and Mohammed H. Haggag

Abstract | PDF

Share this