[Effect of alfalfa meal on experimental hyperlipidemia]

The influence of alfalfa meal on hyperlipidemia induced by dietary cholesterol was examined and changes in serum total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG) and non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) in rabbits were recorded. Serum lipid levels of groups treated with alfalfa meal (R-1) as well as those not treated (R-2) were found to be elevated. TC of R-1 was lower than that of R-2. The inhibition effect of alfalfa meal on elevation of TC was apparent to a certain extent. The inhibition effect of alfalfa meal on elevation of TG and NEFA was greater than that of TC, thus it is suggested that alfalfa meal can be successfully utilized for experiments with lipids, when the rabbit is the experimental animal of choice. Effect of riboflavine-2,3,4,5-tetranicotinate (RN-4) on changes of TC, TG and NEFA in rats fed 1% cholesterol diet was also examined. RN-4 was mixed in the diet (0.5, 0.25 and 0.125%). TG levels in groups treated with RN-4 (Rt-2, Rt-3 and Rt-4) were lower than previously observed.