Effects of increasing levels of raw or defatted wheat germ on liver. Feces and plasma lipids and lipoproteins in the rat
1991
Cara, L. | Borel, P. | Armand, M. | Senfit, M. | Riottot, M. | Ferezou, J. | Lairon, D.
The influence of increasing levels of either raw or partially defatted wheat germ on the lipid status was examined in adult rats fed a diet rich in fat (19.5%) and cholesterol (0.5%) for 6 weeks. Addition of 1.8% raw wheat germ had no effect on blood lipids, whereas the addition of 3.5% and 5.4% significantly decreased plasma total and esterified cholesterol, VLDL and LDL cholesterol, and plasma, VLDL and LDL triglycerides. The effects on liver and fecal lipids were studied with 3.5% wheat germ. Raw wheat germ decreased liver triglycerides and cholesterol and exerted no influence on the fecal excretion of fat and bile acids, but increased the ratio of coprosterol to cholesterol. Defatted wheat germ had no effect on liver and fecal lipids, but induced a significantly higher fecal excretion of bile acids. The results indicate that either raw or defatted wheat germ can lower blood lipid parameters when present in small quantities in the diet, possibly by different mechanisms of action.
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