Cholesterol‐Lowering Properties of Whole Cowpea Seed and Its Protein Isolate in Hamsters

ABSTRACT: Hypercholesterolemic hamsters were fed for 4 wk on diets rich in saturated fatty acids and cholesterol, differing only in protein source (20 %): casein (control group, HC), whole cowpea seed (HWS), and cowpea protein isolate (HPI). Hamsters fed on HWS and HPI presented significant reductions in plasma total cholesterol and non‐HDL cholesterol. HPI and HC presented similar protein digestibility, which were significantly higher than that of HWS. Animals fed on HWS presented significantly higher levels of bile acids and cholesterol in feces than did the animals fed on casein or HPI diets. Histological analyses of the liver showed that HC diet resulted in steatosis widely distributed throughout the hepatic lobule, while HWS and HPI diets promoted reductions in liver steatosis. The effectiveness of HWS for modulating lipid metabolism was greater than that of HPI, as measured by plasma cholesterol reduction and liver steatosis.     

Antihyperlipidemic effect of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) protein isolate in rats fed a normal and high cholesterol diet

The dietary influence of sesame protein isolate (protein content 91.5%), produced from dehulled, defatted sesame meal, on blood and tissue lipid profile and lipid peroxidation has been assessed in normal and hypercholesterolemic rats. To evaluate their hypocholesterolemic and antioxidative activity in vivo, we fed 18% sesame protein isolate with or without 2% cholesterol in comparison with casein to rats for 28 d. We determined plasma total protein, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol, triacylglycerol as well as susceptibility of plasma and erythrocyte membrane lipid to oxidation ex vivo. Liver tissue lipid, cholesterol, phospholipids, and lipid peroxidations were also determined. The total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and triacylglycerol levels were significantly reduced in the sesame protein isolate and isolate containing cholesterol group than the corresponding control casein groups. HDL-cholesterol level was also increased in sesame protein isolate (41%) and protein isolate containing cholesterol group (38%) than the corresponding control casein and casein containing cholesterol groups. There was 49% and 64% lowering of plasma lipid peroxidation as well as 36% and 56% lowering of lipoprotein oxidation susceptibility (LOS) in the 2 experimental groups (sesame protein isolate and isolate containing cholesterol group) than the corresponding control (casein and casein containing cholesterol) groups. There was significant lowering of erythrocyte membrane lipid peroxidation (68% and 63% lowering in sesame protein isolate and isolate containing cholesterol groups) and liver lipid peroxidation (61% and 76% lowering in the 2 experimental groups than the corresponding control casein groups). Therefore, our results indicate that sesame protein isolate decreases cholesterol concentration in plasma, increases HDL-cholesterol, and also decreases plasma and erythrocyte membrane lipid peroxidation with or without cholesterol fed diet in rats.     

The role of dietary oxidized cholesterol and oxidized fatty acids in the development of atherosclerosis

The etiology of atherosclerosis is complex and multifactorial but there is extensive evidence indicating that oxidized lipoproteins may play a key role. At present, the site and mechanism by which lipoproteins are oxidized are not resolved, and it is not clear if oxidized lipoproteins form locally in the artery wall and/or are sequestered in atherosclerotic lesions following the uptake of circulating oxidized lipoproteins. We have been focusing our studies on demonstrating that such potentially atherogenic oxidized lipoproteins in the circulation are at least partially derived from oxidized lipids in the diet. Thus, the purpose of our work has been to determine in humans whether oxidized dietary oxidized fats such as oxidized fatty acids and oxidized cholesterol are absorbed and contribute to the pool of oxidized lipids in circulating lipoproteins. When a meal containing oxidized linoleic acid was fed to normal subjects, oxidized fatty acids were found only in the postprandial chylomicron/chylomicron remnants (CM/RM) which were cleared from circulation within 8 h. No oxidized fatty acids were detected in low density lipoprotein (LDL) or high density lipoprotein (HDL) fractions at any time. However, when alpha-epoxy cholesterol was fed to human subjects, alpha-epoxy cholesterol in serum was found in CM/RM and also in endogenous very low density lipoprotein, LDL, and HDL and remained in the circulation for 72 h. In vitro incubation of the CM/RM fraction containing alpha-epoxy cholesterol with human LDL and HDL that did not contain alpha-epoxy cholesterol resulted in a rapid transfer of oxidized cholesterol from CM/RM to both LDL and HDL. We have suggested that cholesteryl ester transfer protein is mediating the transfer. Thus, alpha-epoxy cholesterol in the diet is incorporated into CM/RM fraction and then transferred to LDL and HDL contributing to lipoprotein oxidation. We hypothesize that diet-derived oxidized fatty acids in chylomicron remnants and oxidized cholesterol in remnants and LDL accelerate atherosclerosis by increasing oxidized lipid levels in circulating LDL and chylomicron remnants. This hypothesis is supported by our feeding experiments in animals. When rabbits were fed oxidized fatty acids or oxidized cholesterol, the fatty streak lesions in the aorta were increased by 100%. Moreover, dietary oxidized cholesterol significantly increased aortic lesions in apo-E and LDL receptor-deficient mice. A typical Western diet is rich in oxidized fats and therefore could contribute to the increased arterial atherosclerosis in our population.     

Effects of defatted dried roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) seed powder on lipid profiles of hypercholesterolemia rats

BACKGROUND: In vivo investigations were made of the effect of defatted dried roselle seed powder (DRS) on the lipid profiles of rats with induced hypercholesterolemia. The two‐batch sample consisted of 23 and 20 Sprague‐Dawley male rats randomly divided into four groups and fed with four different diets. The first batch of rats was fed with normal, hypercholesterol, hypercholesterol + 10 g kg^?1 (w/w) DRS and hypercholesterol + 20 g kg^?1 (w/w) DRS diets. The second batch of rats was fed with normal, hypercholesterol, hypercholesterol + 50 g kg^?1 (w/w) DRS and hypercholesterol + 150 g kg^?1 (w/w) DRS diets. Treatments were given for a total of 5 weeks. RESULTS: Results indicated that the addition of 10 g kg^?1 and 20 g kg^?1 of DRS did not significantly lower the plasma total cholesterol (TC) levels. In contrast, 50 g kg^?1 and 150g kg^?1 DRS significantly lowered (P < 0.05) the TC and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C) levels. CONCLUSION: The addition of 50 g kg^?1 and 150 g kg^?1 DRS showed potential hypocholesterolemic effects. Furthermore, these findings indicated that protein, lipid and dietary fibre were high in the seed powder. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry     

LIPID PEROXIDATION IN SARCOPLASMIC RETICULUM AND MUSCLE OF TILAPIA IS INHIBITED BY DIETARY VITAMIN E SUPPLEMENTATION

Lipid peroxidation was analyzed in muscle and sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) of hybrid tilapia fed diets containing 0, 100, 200, and 300 IU vitamin E/kg for 8 months. Iron-catalyzed NADH-dependent lipid peroxidation in SR of tilapia fed diet containing no supplemented vitamin E was significantly greater than that of fish fed other diets (P < 0.05). No difference was observed in SR lipid peroxidation between fish fed 200 and 300 IU vitamin E/kg. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) produced in muscle stored at either 4C or -40C for 7 days and 8 weeks, respectively, increased when storage time increased. When muscle TBARS were plotted against storage time, the lag phases were longer for fish fed high vitamin E (≥ 200 IU/kg) diets than those from fish fed low vitamin E diets.     

Effect of the Lycium barbarum polysaccharides administration on blood lipid metabolism and oxidative stress of mice fed high-fat diet in vivo

Epidemiological and experimental studies have suggested that high dietary fat intake of mice is associated with many physically degenerative diseases. Since oxidative stress and abnormal lipid metabolism have been speculated to be critical mechanisms underlying degenerative diseases, we hypothesized that a high-fat (HF) diet might induce oxidative stress or lipid oxidation and subsequently contribute to the high risk of some diseases such as cardiovascular and cerebrovascular ones. To test this hypothesis, male kunming mice were placed on either a HF diet or a normal laboratory diet for 30 consecutive days. This investigation demonstrated that blood fat [low density lipoprotein (LDL), total cholesterol (TC), triacylglycerols (TAG), high density lipoprotein (HDL)], blood sugar (blood glucose and liver glycogen) and oxidative stress (activities of antioxidant enzymes and levels of non-enzymic antioxidants) of mice fed high-fat diet (group II) were significantly increased or decreased (P < 0.05, P < 0.01) when compared with the control group (I). The present study revealed that HF diet induced oxidative stress and provided novel evidence regarding the link between high dietary fat and increased risk of degenerative diseases. The administration of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides did not show any effect on the body weight of the experimental mice, but significantly decreased the levels of LDL, TC, TAG, blood glucose and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) or increased the activities of antioxidant enzymes (P < 0.05, P < 0.01) when compared with mice in HF group (II). These findings were further supported by significantly increased non-enzymic antioxidants levels (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), suggesting that L. barbarum polysaccharides showed a noticeable inhibition against lipid oxidation induced by free radicals caused by HF diet intake (groups III, IV, V) on the basis of their antioxidant activities.     

The effect of leaf protein concentrate from red clover on plasma cholesterol level in rats

The effect of native and defatted leaf protein concentrate (LPC) from red clover on plasma cholesterol level in rats was studied. Fat-free casein was used as a control protein. The native LPC contained 212 g kg^?1 of ether extract and oleic acid (C_{18: 1}) was its main fatty acid. LPC protein was relatively poor in sulphur-containing amino acids. Each protein studied was given to rats with or without soya bean oil. It was found that total cholesterol level in plasma of rats fed with the oil-containing diets was higher than that of rats fed with the oil-free diets. Original fat present in the native LPC though rich in unsaturated fatty acids had no hypocholesterolaemic effect. LPC was hypocholesterolaemic compared with casein in diets not containing added soya bean oil, although the difference did not reach statistical significance.     

Effects of methionine addition in soya bean or casein diets supplemented with carrageenan on weight gain and blood lipids in rats

Seven groups of 12 Wistar rats were fed during two experimental periods. During the first period of 4 weeks, rats were fed diets containing 100 g kg^?1 of casein or soya-protein. In the case of casein, diets contained casein, casein + 3.5 g kg^?1 of sodium carrageenan and casein + 3.5 g kg^?1 of sodium carrageenan + 1 g kg^?1 of DL-methionine. In the case of soya protein, diets contained soya protein, soya protein + 6.2 g kg^?1 of sodium carrageenan, soya protein + 6.2 g kg^?1 of sodium carrageenan + 1 g kg^?1 of DL-methionine and soya protein + 1 g kg^?1 of DL-methionine. During the second period of 8 weeks, all rats were fed laboratory pellets containing 170 g kg^?1 of standard protein mixture. Methionine supplementation of heated soya bean meal containing carrageenan prevented the decrease of growth observed with unsupplemented diet. Methionine supplementation of casein improved protein efficiency ratio and had no effect on long-term growth of rats because carrageenan did not cause growth retardation. At the end of second period, carrageenan ingested during the first period had no effect on plasma cholesterol. When carrageenans added to casein were ingested during the first period, plasma triglycerides were significantly lower after the second period. It would seem that carrageenans induce protein malnutrition by a lack of methionine when they are present in low protein diets with low methionine content, and that a sufficient content of methionine in diets prevents the carrageenan effect.     

Rice Protein Isolates Produced by the Two Different Methods Lower Serum Cholesterol Concentration in Rats Compared with Casein

Highly purified rice protein isolates (RPI) were prepared by an alkaline extraction–acid precipitation method (E-RPI) and by an α-amylase treatment to remove starch (T-RPI). Biological values of these RPI were significantly lower than that of casein. Serum cholesterol concentrations were compared among groups of rats fed (per kg diet) 200, 300 or 400 g E-RPI, 400 g T-RPI, 250 or 400 g casein kg⁻¹ or 400 g soya bean protein isolate (SPI). With all the diets containing 400 g protein kg⁻¹ diet, growth rates of rats were the same. At this level, E-RPI, T-RPI and SPI diets produced significantly lower serum cholesterol concentrations than the casein diet. Faecal bile acid plus neutral steroid excre-tion was significantly higher in rats fed the 400 g kg⁻¹ T-RPI or 400 g kg⁻¹ SPIdiets compared with rats fed the 400 g kg⁻¹ casein diet. On the other hand, the 400 g kg⁻¹ E-RPI diet did not increase steroid excretion. Plasma cholesterol concentrations in rats fed diets with amino acid mixtures simulating SPI and E-RPI were also significantly lower than that of rats fed the diet with an amino acid mixture simulating casein even though the faecal excretions of total bile acids were the same amongst groups. These results support the view that RPI are hypocholesterolaemic relative to casein and at least the hypocholesterolaemic effects of E-RPI would be independent of interruption of the enterohepatic circulation of endogenous steroids.     

Hypolipidaemic effects of dietary whole soybean curd (jeondubu) in rats

BACKGROUND: The characteristic of whole soybean curd is that it includes the soybean residue that is discarded as waste in the manufacture of usual soybean curd (known as tofu). In this study the effect of dietary whole soybean curd on lipid profiles in rats was compared with that of usual soybean curd. Rats were fed for 4 weeks with diets differing only in the source of protein, namely casein, whole soybean curd or usual soybean curd. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in growth parameters due to diet differences. However, the two groups fed with curds had significantly lower levels of serum cholesterol and triglyceride than the group fed with casein, the greatest reduction in lipid profiles being observed in the group fed with whole soybean curd. The serum high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol/total cholesterol ratio was higher in rats fed with whole soybean curd. CONCLUSION: The results suggest the possibility that whole soybean curd may have more beneficial effects in controlling serum lipid profiles than usual soybean curd that is normally consumed. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Inhibitory effects of Hibiscus sabdariffa L extract on low‐density lipoprotein oxidation and anti‐hyperlipidemia in fructose‐fed and cholesterol‐fed rats

Hibiscus sabdariffa L extract (HSE) is an aqueous extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa L flowers that is used as a local soft drink and medical herb in Taiwan. Oxidation of low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) has been shown to increase the incidence of atherosclerosis. In this study, we determined the antioxidative activity of HSE on LDL oxidation by examining relative electrophoretic mobilities (REM) and thiobarbituric acid‐reactive substances (TBARS). The data revealed an inhibitory effect of HSE on Cu²⁺‐mediated REM and TBARS. HSE exhibited a remarkable ability to reduce cholesterol degradation and ApoB fragmentation. Overall, HSE showed a high potency to inhibit the production of oxidized LDL induced by copper and, specifically, to reduce serum triglycerides in high‐fructose diet (HFD) fed rats and serum cholesterol in high‐cholesterol diet (HCD) fed animals. The levels of LDL and the ratio of LDL‐cholesterol (LDL‐C) to HDL‐cholesterol (HDL‐C) were reduced by HSE in both hyperlipidaemia models. Based on these findings, we suggest that HSE may be used to inhibit LDL oxidation and to prevent various types of hyperlipidaemia in HFD‐ or HCD‐fed rats. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

Hypolipidemic effect of enzymatically extracted sunflower seed protein fraction

An attempt was made to enzymatically extract the protein fraction (PF) from sunflower seeds and investigate its dietary effect on the growth, plasma and tissue lipid profiles, plasma protein content, erythrocyte membrane lipid profile and organ weights of rats. Extraction of dehulled sunflower seeds in an aqueous medium in the presence of the enzyme pectinase at 50 ± 1 °C and pH 4.5 yielded a protein fraction with low residual chlorogenic acid and fibre contents. Rats fed the sunflower seed protein fraction showed a similar body weight gain and food efficiency ratio as rats fed casein. However, the different dietary proteins had different effects on plasma total cholesterol and triglyceride contents. The rats fed the sunflower seed protein fraction showed a significant decrease in plasma cholesterol (p < 0.02) and triglyceride (p < 0.02) concentrations compared to the casein‐fed rats. The PF‐fed rats also exhibited a significant difference in erythrocyte membrane phospholipids and phosphatidylcholine/phosphatidylethanolamine ratio. Rats fed the different dietary proteins did not show much variation in plasma protein content, liver and brain lipids and organ weights. These results demonstrate the hypolipidemic action of the sunflower seed protein fraction and that it can be considered a suitable edible protein like casein. © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry     

Amelioration of cadmium-induced oxidative stress, impairment in lipids and plasma lipoproteins by the combined treatment with quercetin and α-tocopherol in rats

Cadmium (Cd) exposure results in numerous pathological consequences including oxidative stress and dyslipidemia. The present study was designed to investigate the efficacy of combined treatment with quercetin (QE) and α-tocopherol (AT) against Cd-induced oxidative stress and alterations in lipids and lipoproteins in the plasma and liver of rats. Oral administration of Cd (5 mg/kg bw/d) for 4 wk has shown a significant (P < 0.05) increase in thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), lipid hydro peroxides (LOOH), total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), very low density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C), free fatty acids (FFA), phospholipids (PL), triglycerides (TGs), and the activity of hydroxyl-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase (HMG-CoA reductase) in plasma with a significant (P > 0.05) reduction in the levels of reduced glutathione (GSH), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and the activity of lecithin cholesterol acyl transferase (LCAT) in plasma. In addition, the levels of hepatic thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), LOOH, conjugated dienes (CD), protein carbonyls (PC), and the activity of HMG-CoA reductase, levels of cholesterol, FFA, and TGs were significantly (P > 0.05) increased and the level of PL is significantly (P > 0.05) decreased along with the decreased activity of LCAT in the liver of Cd-treated rats. Oral supplementation with QE (50 mg/kg bw/d) and AT (50 mg/kg bw/d) for 4 wk in Cd intoxicated rats significantly (P > 0.05) has reduced the plasma levels of TBARS, LOOH, GSH, cholesterol, FFA, TGs, VLDL-C, LDL-C, and the activity of HMG-CoA and significantly (P > 0.05) has increased the activity of LCAT and the plasma levels of HDL-C. The oral supplementation also significantly (P > 0.05) has reduced the hepatic oxidative stress markers, cholesterol, TGs, FFA, and significantly (P > 0.05) has increased the LCAT activity and the PL in liver. Our results indicate that the combined treatment with QE and AT has normalized all the previously mentioned biochemical parameters in Cd-intoxicated rats than the individual treatments. The combined treatment has provided remarkable protection against Cd-induced oxidative stress and alterations in lipid metabolism and, thereby, reduced the Cd-mediated cardiovascular diseases.     

Salmon Protamine Decreases Serum and Liver Lipid Contents by Inhibiting Lipid Absorption in an In Vitro Gastrointestinal Digestion Model and in Rats

Protamine has been used as an antiheparin drug and a natural preservative in various food products. However, limited studies have evaluated the physicochemical and functional properties of protamine. Hence, we assessed the mechanisms underlying the inhibition of lipid absorption following salmon protamine intake in in vitro and in vivo studies. In initial experiments, a salmon protamine hydrolyzate (PH) was prepared using in vitro simulated gastrointestinal digestion suppressed pancreatic lipase activity and micellar cholesterol solubility. This PH had higher bile acid‐binding capacity and emulsion breakdown activity than casein hydrolyzate and l ‐arginine. However, the hypolipidemic functions of protamine were dramatically reduced by pancreatin digestion. In further experiments, groups of male Wistar rats were fed an AIN‐93G diet containing 5% (wt/wt) salmon protamine or a protamine amino acid mixture. After 4 wk of feeding with experimental diets, reductions in serum and liver triacylglycerol (TAG) and cholesterol contents were observed in the presence of protamine, reflecting inhibition of TAG, cholesterol, and bile acid absorption. These data suggest that the formation of insoluble PH–bile acid complexes is critical before the bile acid‐binding capacity is reduced. Therefore, dietary salmon protamine may ameliorate lifestyle‐related diseases such as hyperlipidemia and obesity.     

Effects of casein,sweet white lupin and sweet yellow lupin diet on cholesterol metabolism in rats

The effect of lupin seed protein on rat cholesterol metabolism has been studied with diets high in fat (20% by weight) and containing cholesterol (1%). The proteins used were characterised by their lysine/arginine ratios (sweet white lupin (SWL) 0·5; sweet yellow lupin (SYL) 0·4; and casein 1·8), because the lysine/arginine ratio is one of the parameters suspected to decrease or increase plasma cholesterol depending on the ratio; the diets were also characterised by their total fibre content (casein diet 5%; SWL 22%; SYL 17%) because chronic fibre intake could improve glucose tolerance and modify glucoregulatory hormone levels. Methionine content of diets was balanced. Differences among the total serum cholesterol levels of rat groups fed these diets for 28 days were not significant. But, compared to the casein diet, both lupin diets increased plasma glucagon levels and faeces. Compared to casein and SYL diets, the SWL diet significantly decreased plasma triglyceride levels and the insulin/glucagon ratio, as well as unesterified liver cholesterol and plasma LDL triglycerides levels. The SYL diet significantly increased plasma glucose and insulin, as well as liver total cholesterol compared to the casein and SWL diets. The total fibre content of the diets could indirectly modulate the effect related to the insulin/glucagon ratio on cholesterol metabolism and explain the differences observed between the SWL and SYL diets. © 1998 SCI.     

糙米蛋白及其酶解产物对喂食高脂饲料叙利亚金仓鼠脂质代谢的影响

以动物性蛋白酪蛋白为对照,研究了糙米蛋白及其酶解产物对叙利亚金仓鼠脂质代谢的影响。糙米蛋白及其酶解产物降低了仓鼠肝脏中总脂肪、总胆固醇和游离胆固醇含量,同时增加了粪便中脂肪及胆固醇的排出量。糙米蛋白酶解产物还可以显著降低仓鼠的体重。     

膳食蛋白质与大鼠脂质代谢关系的研究

通过给予SD种Ⅱ级雄性大鼠4种不同蛋白质的高脂合成饲料,研究不同来源膳食蛋白质对脂质代谢的影响及其机理探讨。结果显示,大豆蛋白组和谷豆混合蛋白组血清TC、LDL-C、(VLDL-C+LDL-C)/TC明显低于酪蛋白组(P＜0.05),而血清HDL-C、HDL-C/TC明显高于酪蛋白组(P＜0.05)。谷类蛋白组LDL-C也明显低于酪蛋白组(P＜0.05),HDL-C明显高于酪蛋白组(P＜.05)。谷类蛋白与大豆蛋白混合后,其生物利用率提高,调节血脂的作用增强。提示大豆蛋白尤其谷豆混合蛋白有预防AS形成作用。     

Dietetic and hypocholesterolaemic action of black soy peptide in dietary obese rats

To investigate the effect of peptides from black soy (rat's eye) bean (Rhynchosia volubilis Lour.) on weight gain and lipid composition, Sprague–Dawley male rats were fed either a black soy peptide (BSP; 2, 6 or 10% of energy)‐containing diet or a casein control diet (20% of energy) enriched with 36% fat and 1% cholesterol for 28 days. Compared with the casein group, the BSP groups showed significant attenuation of body, liver and epididymal adipose tissue weight gains (P < 0.05). Moreover, rats that consumed BSP had a lower total cholesterol concentration and low‐density lipoprotein/high‐density lipoprotein (LDL/HDL) ratio in serum and a lower level of hepatic triglycerides as well as higher excretion of faeces compared with those fed only casein (P < 0.05). Molecular weights of peptides from black soy were mainly below 10 kDa, and Arg/Lys and Gly/Met ratios in BSP were five and three times of those in casein respectively. It is concluded that BSP can be a potent nutraceutical component for anti‐obesity and hypolipidaemic benefits. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry     

Body composition and serum and liver lipids in rats fed distillers' dried grains

This study examined the body composition and serum and liver lipids in weanling rats fed diets containing distillers' dried grains with solubles (DDGS) from either white wheat (WW), red wheat (RW), corn (CO) or WW fortified with essential amino acids (FWW) as a sole protein source (1.6 % N in the diet). Although the DDGS-fed groups had significantly lower body weights compared with the casein control (RC) after a 28-day feeding trial, there were no significant differences among the dietary groups in percentages of body water, protein, lipid or ash. Serum cholesterol was significantly higher in rats fed the RW diet, and serum triglyceride was higher in the RC and FWW groups compared with the other dietary groups. Liver cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations (mg g^?1 liver) were not significantly different among the five dietary groups.