Hypolipidemic effects of chitosan nanoparticles in hyperlipidemia rats induced by high fat diet

The aim of this study was to investigate the hypolipidemic effects of chitosan nanoparticles(CTS-NP) preparations with ionotropic gelation, rotary evaporation, and spray-drying technique. Male SD (Sprague-Dawley) rats were separated into five groups, a normal diet group, a high fat emulsions group, a CTS control group and CTS-NP groups treated with two different doses of CTS-NP. The nanoparticles were spherical in shape and had a smooth surface. The size range of the nanoparticles was between 500 and 1000 nm. The apparent serum lipid and plasma viscosity in CTS-NP group was significantly lower than that in the CTS group, as well as the serum superoxide dismutate (SOD) levels was increased. Although no significant difference in adipose tissue was found among the groups, the rats fed on CTS-NP had lower relative liver weight and body weight when compared with those fed on normal diet. This study was the first report of the effects of CTS-NP in the hyperlipidemia rats, and suggests that the CTS-NP could be used for the treatment of hyperlipidemia.