Lipoproteinemia and arylesterase activity in Zucker Fa/Fa rats fed glucomannan/spirulina‐enriched squid‐surimi

Abstract

Surimi is considered a healthy food. Hypocholesterolemic and antioxidant properties of soluble fiber and microalgae may reduce cardiovascular disease risk, making them potential functional ingredients. This study aims to determine whether glucomannan‐enriched or glucomannan plus spirulina‐enriched squid‐surimi improve plasma lipid/lipoprotein levels and arylesterase (AE) activity in Zucker Fa/Fa rats. Six groups of eight growing rats were given modified AIN‐93M diets for 7 wk. Experimental diets included 30% squid‐surimi control diet (C), 30% glucomannan‐enriched squid‐surimi diet (G), 30% glucomannan plus spirulina‐enriched squid‐surimi diet (GS), and the same diets enriched with hypercholesterolemic agent (2% cholesterol and 0.4% cholic acid; HC, HG, and HGS diets). G and GS diets induced significantly lower (p < 0.001) body weight gain and growth rate than the C diet and partially normalized the lipoprotein lipid contribution to plasma lipids. HC rats presented marked hyperlipemia, elevated cholesterol/triglyceride ratio in all lipoprotein fractions, and a high percentage of cholesterol transported by VLDL and IDL + LDL fractions. HG and HGS diets noticeably normalized lipemia and the lipid composition of the various lipoprotein fractions versus HC. In conclusion, glucomannan added to surimi‐diets decreased bodyweight gain. HG or HGS exhibited strong lipid normalizing properties versus HC. Spirulina did not add to the effects of glucomannan.