Polysorbates as novel lipid-modulating candidates for reducing serum total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein levels in hyperlipidemic C57BL/6J mice and rats.

Polysorbates are amphiphilic, non-ionic surfactants composed of fatty acid esters of polyoxyethylene sorbitan which are widely used in the cosmetic, food and pharmaceutical industries owing to these special characteristics and their low toxicity profiles. In the present study, polysorbates were investigated for their hypolipidemic activity. C57BL/6J mice and Sprague-Dawley rats were fed a high-fat diet for four weeks, then were divided into several groups, normal saline, polysorbates and positive control drugs such as lovastatin and colestyramine were administered orally to the animals for another four weeks. Complete lipid profiles of the experimental animals were determined by assessing the serum levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. The results indicate that polysorbates significantly lowered the lipid components. Polysorbates are potential candidates for preventing intestinal absorption of redundant lipid from daily intake and subsequently for preventing hyperlipidemia as well as atherosclerosis.