The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of high and low-methoxyl pectins (HMP and LMP, respectively), and cellulose on serum levels of cholesterol and, tryglicerides in hiperlipidemic rats. The experiment was performed with rats, male and adults, with 220 to 250g body weight and placed into 13 blocks of six rats each. One group received a control diet and the others, diets with different levels of pectin and cellulose. The body weight decreased significantly as the concentration of the fiber sources increased. HMP - fed rats (10 and 15%) had the lowest serum cholesterol, triglycerides, and urea concentrations compared to cellulose - fed rats.
dietary fibers; hypercholesterolemic; coronary heart disease; pectin; cellulose
