Effect of lipophilic extract of Chlorella vulgaris on alimentary hyperlipidemia in cholesterol-fed rats.

The effect of glycolipid (GL) and phospholipid (PL) fractions obtained from Chlorella on serum lipid level and fecal excretion of steroids were examined in cholesterol-fed rats. The increase of the level of serum lipids were inhibited by the feeding of GL, PL and Chlorella powder almost the same degree. Fecal excretion of steroids (mostly of cholesterol, deoxycholic and lithocholic acid) were increased by feeding of GL and PL fractions. It is concluded that the feeding of each fraction inhibits the absorption of exogenous steroids and promotes turnover of bile acids in liver to suppress the increase of serum cholesterol level caused by administration of high cholesterol diet.