Abstract
The effects of fucoidan extracted from Okinawamozuku (Cladosiphon okamuranus TOKIDA) on serum cholesterol levels in cholesterol-fed rats were studied in comparison with those of cellulose. The liver weight of rats fed fucoidan and Okinawamozuku diets was lower than those in rats fed cellulose diet. The free and total cholesterol levels of serum for fucoidan diets showed lower values than those for cellulose diets. However, HDL-cholesterol levels of fucoidan diets in serum showed higher values than those of cellulose diets (not significant). On the other hand, the total cholesterol levels of liver for fucoidan diets also showed lower values than those of cellulose diets. The serum cholesterol normalizing effect was estimated to be greater for Okinawamozuku diets in both serum and liver than for fucoidan diets. These results suggest that fucoidan and Okinawamozuku have serum cholesterolnormalizing effects.
