Hypocholesterolemic activity of beta-sitosterol in cholesterol fed sea quail

Male SEA quail were fed a 0.5% cholesterol supplemented diet, to which was added 0%, 1%, and 2% beta-sitosterol, for a period of seven days. Dietarily administered beta-sitosterol reduced total serum cholesterol levels by 62% and 72% at the 1% and 2% treatment doses, respectively. This hypocholesterolemic activity of sitosterol in cholesterol fed SEA quail was anticipated on the basis of the numerous earlier studies demonstrating similar activity in cholesterol fed chickens. Beta-sitosterol was tested in SEA quail to experimentally confirm its expected serum cholesterol lowering effects and to expand further the utility of the SEA quail model in cholesterol and atherosclerosis research.