Cholesterol-lowering and antioxidant status-improving efficacy of germinated giant embryonic rice (Oryza sativa L.) in high cholesterol-fed rats.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The purpose of the current study is to investigate the influence of germinated giant embryonic rice consumption on the lipid metabolism and antioxidant system in rats fed a high-cholesterol diet.

METHODS

Four groups of rats were given a diet containing 1 g cholesterol/kg for 5 weeks. The control group only received a high-cholesterol diet, while the other 3 experimental groups received each of the diets made of germinated giant embryonic rice, giant embryonic rice, or conventional brown rice (hereafter referred to as GGE-D, GE-D, and BR-D, respectively). Plasma and hepatic lipid profiles were measured, and the antioxidant status of liver was examined.

RESULTS

The plasma HDL-cholesterol concentration was significantly higher in rats fed GGE-D compared with the source material (GE-D) or BR-D, while there were no differences in the plasma total cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations between the groups. Consequently, the atherogenic indices of the GGE-D and GE-D groups were significantly lower than for the other groups. The plasma and hepatic thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance levels were higher in rats in the order of those fed BR-D > GE-D > GGE-D. While superoxide dismutase and catalase were significantly activated in rats fed both GGE-D and GE-D, glutathione peroxidase was significantly and most effectively activated in those fed GGE-D.

CONCLUSIONS

The current results indicate that consumption of germinated giant embryonic rice is effective in lowering atherosclerosis cardiovascular disease risk.