Effect of Some Husked and Split Legumes on Fat Metabolism in Hypercholesterolemic Rats

Abstract

The effect of three species of legume seeds, whole and split broad bean (Vicia Faba), whole chick pea (Cicer Arietinum) and whole and split lupine (Lupinus Termis), on lipid metabolism and fecal bile acids excretion were studied in rats. Ninety-six adult male albino rats were randomly allocated in groups of eight rats each to twelve diets which they ate continuously for 42 days. The diets fed were: G1; a semi­ purified diet (SP; control group 1), G2; SP + 5g cholesterol/Kg (control group 2),G3, 5, 7, 9, 11; SP+ either cooked whole or split legumes,G4, 6, 8, 10, 12; SP + either cooked Whole or split legumes+ 5g cholesterol/Kg. Fasting blood samples were taken on day 42 for the determination of total serum lipid, cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol, low­ density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol and triacylglycerols. Fecal collections were made for the measurement of bile acid. After 42 days, serum total cholesterol levels were raised significantly in all groups 3,5,7,9,11, in comparison with control G1, but to different extents. While diets G9, 11 resulted in a reduction in the concentration of serum triacylglycerols than G1.