ABSTRACT
The aim of this present study was to determine the effect of pectin [5, 10 and 15%] and vitamin E [240 mg/kg diet] on reducing the absorption of cholesterol and cholesterol oxidation product-rich diet. Thirty adult male Albino rats were divided into 6 groups. When the rats were fed a hypercholesterolemia-induced diet [control group], the concentrations of cholesterol and cholesterol oxidation products [25-hydroxycholesterol, 7 beta-hydroxycholesterol and 7-ketocholesterol], significantly increased in plasma, liver, brain, heart, and kidney. The damage caused by the hypercholesterolemia-induced diet was revealed by a significant rise in lactic acid dehydrogenase activity [LDH] and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances [TBARs] in plasma. Meanwhile, supreoxide dismutase [SOD] and catalase activity were significantly decreased in plasma. The groups of rat fed hyperchlesterolemic diet with different concentration of pectin and vitamin E [240 mg/kg diet] decreased the concentration of cholesterol and cholesterol oxidation product, TBARs and LDH activity. Meanwhile, SOD and catalase activity were significantly increased