EFFECT OF WHEAT MILLING BY PRODUCTS (BRAN) AND CELLULOSE ON CHOLESTEROL, LIPID PROFILE AND ATHEROGENIC FACTOR FOR GROWING RATS

Cholesterol and lipid profile lowering effects of wheat milling by products (wheat bran) compared with cellulose in male Sprague Dawley growing rats was studied. Different levels of cellulose and wheat bran were formulated into seven balanced basal diets to provide 0, 5, 10 and 15 % of both cellulose and wheat bran and fed to rats for 4 weeks. Each diet was also incorporated with 0.2 % pure cholesterol. Results showed that addition of 10 % and more wheat bran significantly (P< 0.05) reduced serum and liver total cholesterol (TC) compared with cellulose. Addition any level of cellulose or wheat bran did not significantly (P<0.05) reduced TC in kidney, heart and spleen of the rats. Whereas, addition of 10 % and more wheat bran significantly (P<0.05) increased fecal TC compared with cellulose. Addition of 10 % and more or 5 % and more of each cellulose and wheat bran, respectively significantly (P<0.05) reduced serum total lipids (TL), whereas incorporated 10 % and more wheat bran in the diets significantly reduced liver TL compared with addition even 15 % of cellulose. There were no significant differences in TL in kidney, heart and spleen after incorporated cellulose and wheat bran in the diets of the rats. Results showed that increasing the levels of wheat bran in the diets of the rats to 10 % and more, significantly (P<0.05) increased the concentration of TL in the feces compared with cellulose. Incorporation of the diets of the rats with 5, 10 and 15 % of both cellulose and wheat bran did not significantly (P<0.05) reduced serum Low Density Lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) or increased serum High Density Lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c). However, addition of cellulose and wheat bran insignificantly (P<0.05) reduced serum LDL-c/HDL-c and TC/HDL-c ratios or atherogenic factor. It was concluded that addition of wheat bran may be enhanced the cholesterol lowering effect and reduced the atherogenic factor for growing rats.