The effect of different fiber sources on the neutral steroid excretions of hypercholesterolemic casein fed rabbits

Four groups of 14 New Zealand white rabbits were made hypercholesterolemic by feeding them during four months on a casein semi-synthetic diet containing 21% sawdust. Then 10% sawdust was replaced by cellulose, citrus pectin and wheat bran respectively in three groups, while the fourth group continued on the original sawdust containing diet. A control group consisted of four "chow" fed animals. Excretion of faecal neutral steroids (FNS) was determined periodically. Citrus pectin significantly increased the amounts of FNS excreted after five week. FNS levels were not significantly affected by the other fiber sources, but it tended to be higher on cellulose and wheat bran diets than on the sawdust diet.