ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of purple sweet potato on lipid metabolism and oxidative stress in hyperlipidemic rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty male SD rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: normal control group, high-fat control group, high purple sweet potato groups, low purple sweet potato group. The rats were fed with different diets for 6w respectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Serum TC, TG levels were significantly lower in high dosage group than in high-fat control group; while only serum TG was significantly lower in low dosage group than in high-fat control group, these changes started at the third week and lasted to the end of experiment. Serum LDL-C and AI levels were significantly lower in high and low dosage group than in high-fat control group, whereas, serum HDL-C was significantly higher than that in high-fat control group at w3 and lasted to the end of experiment. Serum SOD was significantly higher in high and low dosage group than in high-fat control group, whereas, serum MDA was significantly lower than that in high-fat control group at w6.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Purple sweet potato can decrease serum lipids and reduce hepatic oxidative stress in hyperlipidemic rats.</p>