PLASMA CHOLESTEROL AND ZINC FROM WHEAT BRAN

Abstract

Wheat bran (F) plays a role in reducing the total cholesterol (Cht). The purpose of this investigation was to study the effect of Zinc in the regulation of Cht through the F intake. Weanling rats of 21 days were fed with isoproteic and isoenergetic diets: I - Casein, 10% protein, complete, free of Zinc; 11 - As I, with yolk of egg (G) added; 111 - As I, with F added; IV - As I, with F and G added; V - As 11, with zinc added. The results in relation to Casein diet (I) were: G decreased the Cht with enhancement of Body Weight and PER; G F maintained low values of Cht, increasing Body weight and PER; GZn gave intermediary values of Cht increasing BW and PER. The results suggest that the F effect in decreasinq Cht must oe related to the presence of Zn and Fiber.