Effect of pectin on the lipid status in high cholesterol-fed mice

Abstract

Effects of pectin on the plasma and liver lipid concentrations were examined in mice receiving ad libitum a semi-synthetic diet containing 1% cholesterol for 4 and 12 weeks. Feeding the pectin (5%) diet for 4 weeks resulted in significantly lower plasma concentrations of total cholesterol (T-Chol), triglycerides (TG) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), as well as hepatic concentrations of T-Chol than those of animals receiving a diet containing 1% cholesterol alone. The magnitude of reductions in plasma T-Chol and LDL-C was even more pronounced when the pectin containing high cholesterol diet was fed for 12 weeks. Plasma high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) was found to be reduced whereas the HDL-C/LDL-C ratio was increased, in animals receiving pectin for 12 weeks. Similar changes in plasma lipid concentrations were observed in animals receiving a high cholesterol diet containing 5% pectin, but isocalorically, for 4 weeks. Furthermore, fecal cholesterol concentrations were similar for the animals fed isocalorically a 1% cholesterol diet with and without pectin. These results indicate that the pectin-associated changes in lipid profile were not the reflection of food intake or lipid absorption. Hence, pectin at 5% level is effective in lowering plasma lipid levels and increasing HDL-C/LDL-C ratios in mice receiving a high cholesterol diet.