Wheat Flour Lipase Inhibitor Decreases Serum Lipid Levels in Male Rats

Abstract

Triacylglycerol is digested and absorbed primarily through the action of lipase in the lingual and pancreatic juices. We used a wheat flour-derived lipase inhibitor to inhibit triacylglycerol absorption from the intestinal tract, and studied the effect on serum lipid concentration. Rats were given free access to high fat diets containing the lipase inhibitor at O (control), 0.05, 0.1 and 0.2% levels for 3 weeks, and their serum triacylglycer l, total cholesterol, and HDL-cholesterol concentrations were measured at weeks 1, 2 and 3. The measured values were significantly lower in the groups receiving the lipase inhibitor than in the control group. The degree of decrease in these respects was roughly dose-dependent. Additionally, the inhibitor intake raised the fecal lipid excretion and lowered the hepatic cholesterol level. It was, therefore, assumed that the inhibition of lipase in the digestive tract interfered with lipolysis and thereby with cholesterol absorption.