Aortic/glycosaminoglycans alterations in antiatherogenic action of dietary fiber from unripe banana (Musa paradisiaca).

ABSTRACT

Dietary fiber isolated as neutral detergent residue from unripe banana altered the concentration of aortic glycosaminoglycans in rats fed cholesterol free and cholesterol diet. Concentration of hyaluronic acid (9.9%), heparan sulphate (53.4%), chondroitin 4-sulphate (32.6%), chondroitin 6-sulphate (17.9%), dermatan sulphate (18.8%) and heparin (10.1%) increased in the aorta in rats fed cholesterol free diet. In rats fed cholesterol diet, concentration of heparan sulphate (23.3%), chondroitin 4-sulphate (9.8%) and heparin (42.4%) increased while hyaluronic acid showed a decrease (29.7%). The activity of beta-glucuronidase (9.5%) and beta-hexosaminidase (19.7%) decreased in the aorta in rats fed cholesterol free diet and given dietary fiber, while only beta-hexosaminidase (19.3%) decreased in rats fed cholesterol diet.