Studies on the Effect of Cyclobranol α-methyl Ferulic Acid Ester on Serum Lipid Levels and Atherosclerosis in the Hypercholesterolemic Rabbits

Abstract

The present study was designed to investigate the effects of cyclobranol α-methyl ferulic acid ester (CB-MFE) on serum lipids and atherosclerosis in cholesterol-fed rabbits. CB-MFE is a derivative of phytosterol ferulic acid ester in ricegerm. White Japanese male rabbits weighing 2-3kg were fed a 1% cholesterol diet for 2 weeks, and then divided into two groups so as not to make a statistical difference in the serum total cholesterol levels between two groups. One group (n=8) was continued on a 1% cholesterol diet as control. The other group (n=9) was fed a 1% cholesterol diet plus 0.1% CB-MFE. At the end of the 14 week period, rabbits were killed and autopsied.
Result 1 The effects on serum lipids.
(1) CB-MFE lowered serum total cholesterol and phospholipid levels significantly.
(2) Although CB-MFE lowered serum lipid peroxide levels, there were no significant.
Result 2 The effects on atherosclerosis of aorta.
Sudan IV stainable aortic lesions covered 34.9±17.6% on the intimal surface in the control rabbits, and 22.9±11.6% in the CB-MFE treated rabbits. CB-MFE tended to reduce the atherosclerotic intimal involvements.
Conclusion
From a point of view of the present results and the great individual difference in rabbits, it is considered that CB-MFE has the powerfully hypocholesterolaemic and antiatherogenic activities.