Hypolipidemic and antioxidative effects of rice bran and phytic acid in high fat-fed mice

The influence of rice bran and phytic acid on lipid metabolism and antioxidative status in high fat-fed mice was investigated. The mice were given high fat diet (HF) or high fat diet supplemented with rice bran (HF-RB) or phytic acid (HF-PA) for 7 weeks. The control mice (NC) received normal diet. The HF mice showed marked increase in body weight, total cholesterol levels, hepatic triglyceride concentration, and lipid peroxidation rate compared with NC group. Also, a significant decrease in antioxidant enzyme activities was observed in HF animals. Addition of rice bran and phytic acid in the diet counteracted this high fatinduced hyperlipidemia and oxidative stress, mainly by increasing fecal lipid excretion and regulation of antioxidant and lipogenic enzyme activities. These findings illustrate that rice bran and phytic acid possess antihyperlipidemic action and antioxidant status-improving ability, and may be beneficial as dietary supplements in the management of high fat diet-induced hyperlipidemia.