Abstract
The hypocholesterolemic effects of corn bran andits isolated “dietary fiber” fractions were examined in rats fed a hypercholesterolemic diet containing1% cholesterol and 0.25% sodium cholate.
1) Two different corn brans, obtained by wet or dry milling process, were supplemented to adiet at the level supplying 5% neutral detergent fiber (NDF), respectively. The diets were given torats for 7 days. Both corn brans were not effective in preventing elevation of serum and liver cholesterol levels.
2) NDF fraction was isolated from “wet milling” corn bran by application of the Van Soest procedure. The NDF-preparation (cellulose 24.6%, hemicellulose 67.8%, lignin 2.4%) was supplementedto a diet at the 5% level. This substance tended to reduce serum cholesterol, but did not cause aremarkable change in liver cholesterol.
3) “Hemicellulose B” fraction was isolated from “wet milling” corn bran by extracting with dilute caustic alkaline solution. The hemicellulose-preparation (non-cellulosic polysaccharides 95.0%) was supplemented to a diet at a level of 0.5% or 2.0%. This substance had a significant effect to prevent the elevation of serum cholesterol, and also to depress significantly the increase in liver cholesterol content of rats fed the diet of 2.0% level.
