Abstract
Water-soluble dietary fiber (SDF) and insoluble dietary fiber (IDF) isolated from apple pomace powder (AF) were prepared by the modified Asp method. The hypocholesterolemic effects of these materials were examined in rats fed hypercholesterolemic diets containing 1% cholesterol and 0.25% sodium cholate. Cellulose powder (CP) and AF were added to the diet at a level of 5% total dietary fiber. SDF and IDF were added to the diet at levels of 1.27% and 3.73% respectively. The diets were given to rats for 10 days. CP, AF, and IDF did not suppress the elevation of serum cholesterol levels, but SDF suppressed the elevation of serum cholesterol levels. SDF also tended to depress liver cholesterol accumulation and facilitated the excretion of neutral steroid. These results indicate that the mechanism of the hypocholesterolemic effect of SDF is prevention of dietary cholesterol absorption from the small intestine.
