Comparison of Protective Effects Between Oat á-Glucan and Phenol-Rich Extracts in Hyperlipidemic ICR Mice.

ß-Glucan in oat is widely considered as the main ingredient for the anti-hypercholesterol effects; however, phenolic compounds in oat are also regarded to possess potential activities against dyslipidemia. In order to understand the underlying mechanisms thoroughly, it is of great significance to evaluate and compare the hypolipidemic properties exerted by oat phenol-rich extract (PE) and ß-glucan extract (GE) in hyperlipidemic 1CR mice induced by high-fat diet. The study was conducted for 12 weeks. Both PE and GE showed a significant hypocholesterolemic action by reducing the concentration of serum total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein cholesterol and hepatic TC. Only PE reduced the hepatic triacylglycerol (TG), inhibited hepatic 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutary CoA reductase activities and improved the hepatic antioxidant defense system. However, GE significantly increased fecal excretion of neutral cholesterol and bile acids. This study demonstrated that not only ß-glucan but also oat phenolic acids contributed to a preventive effect on hyperlipidemia. Based on the cholesterol metabolism and antioxidant defense system, the effects of the two functional components of oat were exerted in different ways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]