β-Glucan Fractions from Barley and Oats Are Similarly Antiatherogenic in Hypercholesterolemic Syrian Golden Hamsters

Abstract

The cholesterol-lowering activities of oats and barley are commonly attributed to the beta-glucan fractions. Although beta-glucan is present in both grains and appears to be chemically similar, the effect of source on cholesterol-lowering activity has not been evaluated. In the present study, the antiatherogenic properties of beta-glucan concentrates from oats and barley were evaluated in Syrian golden F(1)B hamsters consuming a semipurified hypercholesterolemic diet (HCD) containing cholesterol (0.15 g/100 g), hydrogenated coconut oil (20 g/100 g) and cellulose (15 g/100 g). After a 2-wk lead-in period, control hamsters were fed the HCD, whereas experimental hamsters consumed HCD formulated to include beta-glucan (2, 4, or 8 g/100 g) by addition of beta-glucan concentrate prepared from oats or barley at the expense of cellulose. Compared with control hamsters, dose-dependent decreases that were similar in magnitude in plasma total and LDL cholesterol concentrations were observed in hamsters fed beta-glucan from either source at wk 3, 6 and 9. Compared with controls, liver cholesterol concentrations were also reduced (P < 0.05) in hamsters consuming 8 g/100 g oat or barley beta-glucan. In agreement with previously proposed mechanisms, total fecal neutral sterol concentrations were significantly increased (P < 0.05) in hamsters consuming 8 g/100 g barley or oat beta-glucan. Aortic cholesterol ester concentrations were significantly reduced (P < 0.05) in hamsters fed 8 g/100 g beta-glucan from barley or oats. Although aortic total cholesterol and cholesterol ester concentrations were significantly correlated with LDL cholesterol (r = 0.565, P < 0.004 and r = 0.706, P < 0.0001, respectively), this association could explain only half of the variability. This study demonstrated that the cholesterol-lowering potency of beta-glucan is approximately identical whether its origin was oats or barley.

Resveratrol prevents renal lipotoxicity and inhibits mesangial cell glucotoxicity in a manner dependent on the AMPK–SIRT1–PGC1α axis in db/db mice

“…Plasma and urine creatinine concentrations were measured, using HPLC (Beckman Instruments, Fullerton, CA, USA). The kidney lipids were extracted using the method of Bligh and Dyer with slight modifications, as previously described [22].…”

The effect of grain polyphenols and the addition of vitamin E to diets enriched with α-linolenic acid on the antioxidant status of pigs

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Effect of inclusion of citrus pulp in the diet of finishing swines

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