Hydrophobic surfactant inhibits hypercholesterolemia in pair-fed rabbits on a cholesterol-free, low-fat diet

Poloxalene, a hydrophobic surfactant, is known to prevent hypercholesterolemia in animals fed a high-fat, high-cholesterol diet. It has not been demonstrated, however, whether this agent is of benefit when hypercholesterolemia is induced in animals by means other than the feeding of a high-fat diet. In this study, hypercholesterolemia was produced in rabbits by feeding a low-fat, cholesterol-free diet with dietary protein supplied by casein for a period of 8 weeks. Controls were given this diet without poloxalene and experimentals were given the diet with poloxalene. Total serum cholesterol levels increased in both groups, but the rise was greater for the control group. Lipoprotein analysis performed at the conclusion of the study showed significantly greater low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels in the control group as compared to the experimental group. Total protein and apolipoprotein B (apo B) were also greater in control LDL. It was concluded that poloxalene favorably affects this model of hypercholesterolemia as total serum cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and LDL apo B were all less and the HDL cholesterol to LDL cholesterol ratio was higher in surfactant-treated rabbits.