Cholesterol-Lowering by Rice Bran and Rice Bran Oil Unsaponifiable Matter in Hamsters

Unsaponfiable matter (U) was prepared from both raw and extrusion stabilized (130'C) rice bran and tested for cholesterol-lowering activity in hamsters by addition to diets containing cellulose, raw rice bran, or stabilized rice bran at either the level found in the rice bran diet (0.4%, 1X) or twice that level (2X). All diets contained 0.3% cholesterol, 10% total dietary fiber, 10.1% fat, and 3% N (same plant-to-animal N ratio). After 21 days, plasma cholesterol was significantly reduced by rice bran diets containing added U compared to the cellulose control diet, while the high density lipoprotein cholesterol-to-low density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio remained unchanged in all treatment groups. Liver cholesterol was significantly reduced by all rice bran-containing diets and with cellulose diets containing 2X added U when compared to the control diet. Rice bran diets plus added U resulted in cholesterol values lower