Effects of Soy Protein Isoflavones on Serum Lipids, Lipoprotein Profile and Serum Glucose of Hypercholesterolemic Rabbits

Abstract

The main objective of this research was to determine the effects of soy protein isoflavones on serum lipids, lipoproteins and fasting blood sugar levels in hypercholesterolemic rabbits_ Materials and Method: Twenty-four male New Zealand rabbits received the basic pellet diet for two weeks and were then placed on a hypercholesterolemic diet (pellets plus 1% cholesterol) for three weeks. Mter elevation of total cholesterol, the rabbits were randomly allocated into four experimental groups. Groups 1 to 3 received loog soy protein containing 200mg (SPI+), lOOmg (SPI50%) soy protein diet and without isoflavones (SPI-), respectively, for six weeks. The fourth group was kept on the hypercholesterolemic diet (HC).Results: Findings showed that cholesterol rich diet produced significant increase in total, LDLand HDL-cholesterol concentrations. In SPI+ group these parameters remained unchanged, compared with SPI-and SPI50% groups (P