Effect of dietary fiber on hypercholesterolemia induced by dietary PCB or cholesterol in rats

Effects of 0.03% polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) in the diet and various dietary fibers [konjac mannan (KM), pectin, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and cellulose] at a 5% level in the diet on serum and liver lipid metabolism and urinary ascorbic acid were studied. A comparison between dietary PCB and 1% cholesterol in the diet was also made. Serum albumin, protein, total and high density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol, triglyceride, urinary and liver ascorbic acid, liver cholesterol and total lipids were increased in rats fed PCB. Pectin or KM depressed the elevation in serum protein, total and HDL-cholesterol, triglyceride and liver lipids due to PCB intake. Cellulose or CMC had no significant effect on these indices. Urinary ascorbic acid was not decreased by these dietary changes. Serum total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein (LDL) plus very low density lipoprotein (VLDL)-cholesterol, and liver total lipids, and cholesterol were significantly higher, and serum HDL-cholesterol and triglyceride were significantly lower in the cholesterol-fed group as compared to PCB-fed rats. Addition of KM to a cholesterol diet significantly depressed serum total cholesterol and LDL plus VLDL-cholesterol, liver cholesterol and total lipids. It seems likely that cholesterol metabolism is quite different during dietary PCB and cholesterol feeding.