Abstract
Using an indigestible dextrin (PF: 58.2% dietary fiber and PF-C: 91.6% dietary fiber as determined by HPLC) obtained through pyrolysis of potato starch, its effects on cholesterol metabolism in rats were evaluated. The results are summarized as follows: 1) The levels of serum cholesterol and trigIyceride ia rats fed a cholester01-free diet for 5 weeks were significantly decreased from 119±7.6mg/dl and 218±39.0mg/dl to 94.2±6.0mg/dl and 145±20.0mg/dl, respectively, following supplementation of 10% PF-C; 2) When rats on a standard diet were supplied with tap-water admixed with 20% PF and 5-20% PF-C against a control for 5 weeks, serum and liver cholesterol levels were significantly decreased according to the magnitude of the change in dietary fiber content; 3) Total bile acid excretion in feces was significanly increased in both the PF and PF-C groups; 4) The content of total short-chain fatty acids, especially propionic acid, in fecal volume rose significantly in both the PF and PF-C groups; 5) Confirmation of the effect of PF-C on serum and liver cholesterol levels was made by switching the drinking water from ordinary tap-water to the PF-C solution.
