Effect of wheat germ on plasma lipid profile in hyperlipidemic rats

ABSTRACT

This study evaluated the influence of diets containing whole or defatted wheat germ in a dietary induced rat model of hyperlipidemia to assess some possible protective effects on lipid metabolism. Hyperlipidemia was induced in rats using high fructose diet. Feeding hyperlipidemic rats whole or defatted wheat germ diets for 4 weeks produced non significant changes in final body weight, body weight gain, total food intake and feed efficiency as compared with hyperlipidemic rats group. Hyperlipidemic rats receiving whole or defatted wheat germ for four weeks showed significant reduction in the plasma level of total lipid, triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol while HDL-cholesterol and HDL/LDL ratio increased significantly. The study shows that feeding hyperlipidemic rats on diets containing whole or defatted wheat germ produced no disturbances in growth performance, while changes in lipid profile were found. Overall, results support that whole or defatted wheat germ intake may be recommended in humans with altered lipid profile