Effects of alginates on the ingestion and excretion of cholesterol in the rat

Abstract

The effects of three forms of alginate (free acid, sodium and calcium salts) on ingestion and excretion of cholesterol in the rat were studied. For two weeks, Male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed a cholesterolrich diet containing 3 % alginate from the brown alga Ascophyllum nodosum. The food efficiency of the three types of alginate was: Na-alginate > Ca-alginate > alginic acid. A significant increase in the weight of cecum was also observed in alginate diets. Alginate was not effective in preventing the elevation of serum total cholesterol levels, although irregularly changing patterns were observed. The cholesterol level of liver showed a tendency to decrease with alginate feeding, while fecal excretion of cholesterol increased.

Bioactive compounds in seaweed: functional food applications and legislation

“…Various industries related to food processing, pharmaceuticals, feed and cosmetics use alginic acid extracted from Saccharina and Undaria. It has been reported that alginic acid leads to a decrease in the concentration of cholesterol, exerts an anti-hypertension effect, can prevent absorption of toxic chemical substances, and plays a major role as dietary fibre for the maintenance of animal and human health Murata and Nakazoe 2001;Nishide and Uchida 2003). These dietary polysaccharides are not found in any land plants.…”

Bioactive Compounds and Properties of Seaweeds—A Review

“…It has been reported that alginate is play an important role as a dietary fiber in human and animal both. It is used for decrease the concentration of cholesterol, exerts hypertension effect, can prevent absorption of toxic chemical substance [5] [51] [52]. This dietary fiber is not present in any land plant, they help protect against the potential carcinogen, and they protect the surface membranes of the stomach and intestine, and they also clear the digestive system.…”

“…This is produce by the increase in the fecal cholesterol content and a hypoglycemic response [54] [98] [99]. Other have been reported causes lowering of systolic blood pressure also known as hypertensive response and lower the level of total cholesterol, free cholesterol, triglyceride and phospholipids in the liver [52]. A methanolic extract from Pelvetia babingtonii shows an inhibitory effect on α-glucosidase which could make it effective in suppressing postprandial hyperglycemia [100].…”

Algal Polysaccharides, Novel Applications and Outlook

“…They absorb substances like cholesterol, which are then eliminated from the digestive system (Burtin 2003;Ito and Tsuchida 1972) and result in hypocholesterolemic and hypolipidemic responses (Kiriyama et al 1969;Lamela et al 1989;Panlasigui et al 2003). This is often coupled with an increase in the faecal cholesterol content and a hypoglycaemic response (Dumelod et al 1999;Ito and Tsuchida 1972;Nishide et al 1993). …”

“…The hypocholesterolemic and hypolipidemic responses are noted to be due to reduced cholesterol absorption in the gut (Kiriyama et al 1969;Lamela et al 1989;Panlasigui et al 2003). This is often coupled with an increase in the faecal cholesterol content and a hypoglycaemic response (Dumelod et al 1999;Ito and Tsuchida 1972;Nishide et al 1993). A high level of low density lipid (LDL) cholesterol can lead to plaque forming and clog arteries and lead to cardiovascular diseases and heart attacks or strokes, a major cause of disease in the US.…”