Hypolipidemic effects of barley-β-glucan in experimentally induced hyperlipidemic rats

Abstract

Dyslipidemia is one of the major risk factors for cardiac disease. We aimed to reduce this risk factor for lowering serum cholesterol levels by making dietary changes. Beta-glucan are glucose polymers present in cereal grains as barley, consumption of the whole grain or concentrated β-glucan preparation showed to lower blood lipid profile and atherogenic ratios. Fifty male albino rats were assigned into five groups. The control group received standard diet, the hyperlipidemic group fed 1% cholesterol and 20% coconut oil in the diet for 8 weeks. The β-glucan treated group received high fat diet for 4 weeks then high fat diet plus barley β-glucan 10 mg/rats given orally for more 4 weeks. The β-glucan protected group received standard diet +10 mg/rat barley β-glucan for 2 weeks then high fat diet + barley β-glucan 10 mg/rat for another 8 weeks. The β-glucan group received standard diet + barley β-glucan 10 mg/rat for 8 weeks. The hyperlipidemic rats showed an increase in lipid profile, total lipid, phospholipids, atherogenic indices, liver enzymes, kidney functions and glucose level while a decrease in HDL-C and albumin compared with the control group. Moreover, histological examination of liver tissue of hyperlipidemic rats showed fatty hepatocytes compared with the control. Administration of barley β-glucan 10 mg/rat in treated and protected groups ameliorated the levels of lipids, atherogenic indices, liver functions, kidney functions and glucose. In addition, the liver tissues showed improved pathological alterations.

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“…In intoxicated group‐fed BM diet, the lipid profile was almost returned to normal. The hypolipidemic effect of an antioxidant such as barley β‐glucan was also recorded previously (Swelim, Farid, & Mostafa, 2019).…”