Research Information System
4th International Conference on Nutrition and Growth, Amsterdam, Netherlands, 2 - 04 March 2017, pp.1, (Full Text)
Background and Aims
Inulin and chitosan oligosaccharide (COS) are prebiotics. Inulin is used for its effects on
immune function, bioavailability of minerals, lipid metabolism and gastrointestinal tract
health. Chitosan is a natural substance produced in the body from glucose and some
biological effects including anti-microbial, immune modification mechanisms. The aim of the
study was to investigate the effects of inulin or COS on serum total cholesterol, HDLcholesterol,
LDL-cholesterol and triglyceride levels in female rats fed hypercholesterolemic
diet.
Methods
8-weeks-old female 32 Sprague-Dawley rats were separated into four equal groups. Group 1
was fed basal diet, group 2 was fed hypercholesterolemic diet (15% hydrogenated-oil and
1.5% cholesterol), group 3 was fed hypercholesterolemic diet with 1% inulin, and group 4
was fed hypercholesterolemic diet with 1% COS. The trial period was 30 days. Serum lipids
were detected by auto-analyser.
Results
Serum total cholesterol level was significantly higher in group 2 than in other all groups, and
was significantly higher in group 3 than in groups 1 and 4 on day 30. Serum HDL-cholesterol
level was significantly lower in group 2 than in all other groups on day 30. Serum LDLcholesterol
and triglyceride levels were significantly higher in group 2 than in other all groups
on day 30.
Conclusions
While hypercholesterolemic diet significantly increased all serum lipids, COS or inulin added
to the hypercholesterolemic diet reduced them to the normal levels. So, COS or inulin may
be utilized in the prevention and treatment of diseases associated with life-style such as
cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome and obesity.