Hypocholesterolemic Effect of Corn Bran Hemicellulose in Ovariectomized Rats Fed a Cholesterol-free, Casein Protein Diet

The effect of corn bran hemicellulose (CBH) on lipid metabolism was studied in ovariectomized rats (OVX-rats) fed a cholesterol-free 20% casein diet with no added fiber (FF diet). OVX rats were fed either the FF diet or the FF diet supplemented with 5% CBH (CBH diet) and pair-fed with rats given a shamoperation and fed the FF diet. In rats fed the FF diet, the plasma cholesteral concentration (p-chol) was higher in OVX rats than in rats given a shamoperation although the difference was not significant. When compared with OVX rats fed the FF diet, OVX rats fed the CBH diet had: (1) lower p-chol, (2) higher liver cholesterol, (3) higher excretion of bile acid into feces. The mechanism of the hypocholesterolemic effect of CBH remains to be elucidated.