ABSTRACT
Serum and tissue lipid levels were studied in rabbits in whom egg yolk was used to induce atherosclerosis and Bengal gram was supplemented in the diet as a lipodiatic agent. Monthly serological and tissue studies were done to assess the levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides and phospholipids and it was found that egg yolk feeding leads to statistically significant increases in all these fractions in the serum, liver, adrenals, heart and aorta. Bengal gram supplementation of the diet led to flattening of the atherosclerotic plaques and showed statistically significant decline in the organs with the exception of the kidney. This study confirms the lipodiatic effect of the bengal gram and its beneficial effect on the atherosclerotic plaque.
Subject(s)
Magnoliopsida , Animals , Arteriosclerosis/diet therapy , Cholesterol/metabolism , Dietary Fiber/therapeutic use , Egg Yolk , Female , Lipid Metabolism , Male , Phospholipids/metabolism , Rabbits , Triglycerides/metabolismABSTRACT
Serum lipids and lipoproteins were studied in rabbits fed on egg yolk supplemented diet to induce hypercholesterolemia. Bengal gram and synthetically pure isoflavone Biochanin A have been used as lipodiatic agents in this study. Rabbits were divided into four groups: Group A were fed on egg yolk supplement alone to form the positive control group, Group B were fed with 40 gms of overnight soaked bengal gram (Cicer arietinum), Group C were fed with 50 mgs of Biochanin A fortnightly, Group D was negative control group fed on pelleted laboratory feed. Serum samples were taken every month and total cholesterol, triglycerides and HDL cholesterol were estimated. The other lipoproteins like LDL cholesterol and VLDL cholesterol were obtained by calculations. The Group B and C showed a significant decrease of their lipids and lipoprotein in comparison to Group A thereby indicating the lipodiatic effect of these two substances. However, HDL cholesterol showed an increase in these two groups thereby proving that an increased HDL cholesterol has a protective effect on the atherosclerotic process.