Preparation Of Composite Dietary Fiber On The Prevention Of Arterial Atherosclerosis Role

Objective: In order to search a better kind of dietary fiber (DF) in the area on prevention of atherosclerosis (AS), this study was designed to prepare the artificial fiber complexes and examine its role in lipid metabolism and lipid peroxidation in comparison with other fibers. Methods: Two fiber complexes composed of cellulose and the same weight of pectin or sodium alginate were constructed as three-dimensional networks of cellulose fiber filled with the soluble components. Sixty-four healthy, female Wistar rats (50-80g) were randomly divided into eight groups based on body weight. All seven kinds of DF (cellulose—group B, pectin—group C, sodium alginate—group D, cellulose-pectin complex—group E, cellulose-sodium alginate complex—group F, cellulose-pectin mixture—group G, cellulose-sodium alginate mixture—group H) were given at a level of 10% in the diet fed on a lipid-rich diet containing 7.5% lard , 7.5% bean oil, 1.5% cholesterol and 0.5% cholate. The control group (group A) was fed on a lipid-rich diet alone without DF. After eight weeks, the effect on growth and development, lipid metabolism and lipid peroxidation in rats were studied. Results: 1.Seven kinds of DF did not affect the growth and development of the experimental rats. 2. Compared with the control group, all DF groups can lower serum total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (except group B) and liver TC levels, especially for group E and F. Group E, F, G and H can also decrease serum triglyceride (TG) level. Only group E can reduce liver TG and elevate serum high densiity lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels. 3. Livers in all groups had fatty degeneration to some extent. And fiber complex groups were the mildest, the control group was the most serious, which was in correspondence with the lipids levels. 4.Except that group E, F, G and H can decrease the weight of liver, no harmful effect on liver was found. 5. The fecal weight and fat contents in all DF groups were significantly higher than that in control group, especially for fiber mixture and complex groups. 6.There were obviously correlation between lipids and fecal fat contents. 7.Seven kinds of DF all can increase serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GsH-Px) activities and reduce malondiadehyde (MDA) content (except group B and D). Erythrocyte membrane fluidity was significantly increased in DF groups, and fiber complex groups were most effective. Conclusion: The results show that all these kinds of DF have the effect of regulating lipid metabolism and lipid peroxidation to some extent in rats, and fiber complexes might be the most effective.