Abstract
In a previous paper we reported that the diet containing 5% of ground dried mushroom (Lentinus edodes) and 1% cholesterol markedly reduced plasma cholesterol levels in rats.
To elucidate the reducing mechanism of plasma cholesterol by mushroom, neutral sterols and bile acids excreted into feces were determined. The results obtained were as follows.
(1) Neutral sterols in feces fed mushroom were increased, however, bile acids were not increased compared with control group (mushroom-free diet).
(2) Total amounts of cholesterol in whole body fed mushroom were less than that of control.
These results indicate that the reducing effect of mushroom is due to the increasing excretion of administered cholesterol.
