脂宁胶囊对高脂大鼠血脂水平的影响

目的探讨脂宁胶囊对高脂饲料饲养大鼠血脂水平的影响。方法将大鼠按基础血清总胆固醇水平将动物随机分为4组:高脂对照组、低、中、高剂量实验组。实验期间,所有大鼠均饲以高脂饲料,低、中、高剂量组分别灌胃给予0.0835、0.1670、0.5010 g/kg.bw剂量的脂宁胶囊,对照组以蒸馏水灌胃,灌胃量1 ml/100 g.bw,连续30 d后,测定血清总胆固醇(TC)、甘油三酯(TG)和高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)。结果0.16700、.5010 g/kg.bw剂量可显著降低大鼠血清TC水平(P<0.05),0.0835、0.1670 g/kg.bw剂量可显著降低大鼠血清TG水平(P<0.05),0.1670、0.5010g/kg.bw剂量升高HDL-C水平达4 mg/dl以上。结论脂宁胶囊具有辅助调节血脂作用。     

姜蒜片对高脂大鼠血脂水平的影响

目的研究姜蒜片对高脂饲料饲养大鼠血脂水平的影响。方法将大鼠按基础血清总胆固醇水平随机分为4组:高脂对照组、低、中、高剂量实验组。实验期间,所有大鼠均饲以高脂饲料,低、中、高剂量组分别灌胃给予0.11、0.22、0.66g/kg.bw剂量的姜蒜片,对照组以蒸馏水灌胃,灌胃量1ml/100g.bw,连续30d后,测定血清总胆固醇(TC)、甘油三酯(TG)和高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)。结果0.11g/kg.bw剂量可显著降低大鼠血清TC、TG水平(P<0.05);各剂量对大鼠血清HDL-C水平无显著影响(P>0.05)。结论姜蒜片具有一定的调节血脂作用。     

葛根素对糖尿病P-选择素及主动脉血管细胞粘附分子mRNA表达调节的实验研究

目的观察葛根素对糖尿病大鼠P-选择素及主动脉血管细胞粘附分子(VCAM)mRNA表达的调节。方法利用链脲佐菌素腹腔注射法诱导建立1型糖尿病大鼠模型,将实验用SD大鼠随机分正常对照组、糖尿病组、葛根素3个剂量组[20、40和80mg/(kg.d)ip]。处理16周,观察处理后大鼠的胆固醇、低密度脂蛋白、高密度脂蛋白、P-选择素、糖化低密度脂蛋白、氧化低密度脂蛋白,分离主动脉,HE染色观察主动脉病理形态改变及原位杂交检测主动脉内膜VCAMmRNA表达。结果(1)造模4组大鼠均出现血脂异常及主动脉病理形态改变。(2)葛根素能降低糖尿病大鼠的P-选择素、胆固醇、低密度脂蛋白、氧化低密度脂蛋白(P<0.05),升高高密度脂蛋白(P<0.05);葛根素降低主动脉VCAMmRNA(P<0.05)表达,且呈一定的剂量-反应关系。结论葛根素通过降低黏附分子的表达,起到确切的主动脉保护作用。     

番茄红素对高脂血症大鼠血细胞和纤溶活性的影响

目的探讨番茄红素对高脂血症大鼠血细胞及纤溶活性的影响。方法成年雄性SD大鼠40只,根据总胆固醇(TC)水平随机分为5组,每组8只:正常对照组、高脂模型组、氟伐他汀钠10mg/kg bw组、番茄红素11mg/kg bw和44mg/kg bw组。正常对照组饲基础饲料,其余组饲高脂饲料,实验第2、3周氟伐他汀钠和番茄红素灌胃处理。检测TC、甘油三酯(TG)、低密度脂蛋白-胆固醇(LDL-C)、高密度脂蛋白-胆固醇(HDL-C)、超氧化物歧化酶活力(SOD)和丙二醛水平(MDA)、血细胞参数、血小板α颗粒膜蛋白(GMP-140)、组织型纤溶酶原激活物(tPA)、组织型纤溶酶原激活物抑制剂-1(PAI-1),计算tPA/PAI-1比值和动脉粥样硬化指数(AI);HE染色观察主动脉弓的病理变化。结果高脂饲料喂养1周后大鼠形成高脂血症。与模型组比较,番茄红素组的TC、TG、LDL-C和MDA下降,SOD升高;白细胞计数、红细胞体积、血小板体积、GMP-140和PAI-1下降,红细胞计数和tPA上升;AI显著下降,主动脉弓内膜变薄,泡沫细胞减少。番茄红素44mg/kg bw剂量组作用明显。结论番茄红素可能通过降低血脂和抗氧化而保护高脂血症大鼠的血细胞和促进纤溶活性,减轻主动脉病变程度。     

人参三醇组皂苷对运动疲劳大鼠血糖、血乳酸、血尿素氮的影响

目的探讨不同剂量人参三醇组皂苷对运动疲劳大鼠血糖、血乳酸、血尿素氮的影响。方法成熟Wistar大鼠,训练前每日经口灌胃给予PTS高(100.0mg/kg bw)、中(50.0mg/kg bw)、低(25.0mg/kg bw)3个剂量,另设安静对照组、空白训练组(灌胃给予生理盐水)及甲基睾酮组(甲基睾酮水混悬液2.4 mg/kg bw灌胃)。游泳训练7w,观察人参三醇组皂苷对运动疲劳大鼠血糖、血乳酸、血尿素氮的影响。结果甲基睾酮组、人参三醇组皂苷高、中剂量组与空白训练组比较大鼠力竭游泳时间延长,血糖升高差异有统计学意义(均P<0.05);甲基睾酮组、人参三醇组皂苷高剂量组与空白训练组比较血乳酸、血尿素氮浓度降低差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论 PTS对运动疲劳大鼠血糖、血乳酸、血尿素氮有一定影响,能延缓疲劳的产生。     

天然虾青素软胶囊降血脂功能的实验研究

[目的]探讨天然虾青素胶囊对大鼠血脂的影响. [方法]采用动物实验,SD大鼠32只,根据总胆固醇水平随机分成低、中、高,以及对照组4组,每组8只动物;低、中、高剂量实验组分别以含108.4、217.7、433.4 mg/kg.bw的天然虾青素软胶囊内容物的玉米油溶液灌胃,对照组以玉米油灌胃,灌胃量为10 ml/kg.bw,每天1次,连续灌胃30 d后,从大鼠股动脉取血测定总胆固醇(TC)、甘油三酯(TG)及高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C). [结果]对照组的TC、TG高于试验前;而天然虾青素软胶囊低、中、高剂量组的TC低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.01);中、高剂量组的TG低于高脂对照组,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05). [结论]天然虾青素软胶囊具有降血脂功能.     

玉竹牌养骨茶增加骨密度的动物实验研究

[目的]检测玉竹牌养骨茶是否具有增加动物骨密度的作用。[方法]将60只雌性SD大鼠随机分为6组:假手术组,模型对照组,高剂量碳酸钙组和玉竹牌养骨茶417mg/kg·bw、833mg/kg·bw、1667mg/kg·bw3个剂量组,每组各10只。假手术组动物行假手术,其余5组动物行卵巢切除术。术后各组动物经灌胃分别给予相应剂量的溶剂、碳酸钙组和玉竹牌养骨茶,于实验的第12周处死动物,取左右股骨,测定各组动物的骨密度和骨钙含量。[结果]模型对照组左股骨骨密度显著低于假手术组(P﹤0.01),玉竹牌养骨茶833mg/kg·bw组和1667mg/kg·bw组的左骨骨密度与模型对照组之间有显著差异(P﹤0.05,P﹤0.01)。[结论]玉竹牌养骨茶具有增加动物骨密度作用。     

黄芪提取物对大鼠酒精性肝损伤的保护作用

目的黄芪是一种用途广泛的传统中药,本试验的目的是评价黄芪提取物对大鼠酒精性肝损伤的保护作用。方法设450 mg/(kg·bw)、900 mg/(kg·bw)、1 800 mg/(kg·bw)3个剂量组、1个肝损伤模型对照组和1个阴性对照组,对SD大鼠连续灌胃30 d。第30 d按照1.2 ml/100(g·bw)的剂量给予模型对照组及各剂量组大鼠灌胃50%乙醇溶液,制造肝损伤模型。测定大鼠肝组织中的丙二醛(MDA)、甘油三酯(TG)和还原型谷胱甘肽(GSH)的含量,同时对肝脏进行肝组织病理切片检查,评价肝组织脂肪变性程度。结果黄芪提取物灌胃30 d后,与酒精性肝损伤模型对照组相比,剂量组大鼠的肝组织中的MDA及TG含量下降,大鼠肝组织中的GSH含量升高,大鼠的肝组织脂肪变性程度降低,大鼠的体重增长无明显影响。结论黄芪提取物可以减轻酒精对大鼠肝损伤的影响。     

镉对大鼠肝脏、肾脏线粒体氧化磷酸化影响的比较

镉能使肝脏线粒体氧化磷酸化解偶联。锌与镁可防止之。本文比较了镁对镉引起的肝脏和肾脏线粒体解偶联的保护作用。实验采用雄性大鼠(体重200g),分成两组。一组腹腔内注射CdCl_2(10mg/kg),另一组同时腹腔内注射CdCl_2(10mg/kg)及MgCl_2(50mg/kg)。两小时后处死动物,迅速取出肝     

共轭亚油酸等食物活性成分复配对高脂血症大鼠模型的降血脂作用研究

目的探讨共轭亚油酸、植物甾醇酯、葛根提取物及棕榈油复配后对高脂血症大鼠模型的降血脂作用。方法高脂饲料喂养建立高脂血症大鼠模型,随机分为对照组、模型组、全配方组5.75 g/(kg·bw)、无棕榈油配方组2.75 g/(kg·bw)及棕榈油组3.00 g/(kg·bw),大鼠连续30日灌胃给予后,腹腔主动脉取血,测定各组大鼠的总胆固醇(TC)、甘油三酯(TG)、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)及高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)水平。结果与对照组相比,高脂血症模型大鼠TC、TG及LDL-C水平显著升高(P0.05),全配方及无棕榈油配方可显著降低模型组大鼠血清TC和TG含量,但对LDL-C和HDL-C无明显影响;棕榈油可有效改善模型大鼠血清TC水平,但血清TG、LDL-C和HDL-C含量无显著变化。结论共轭亚油酸、植物甾醇酯、葛根提取物及棕榈油复配后可有效降低实验性高脂血症大鼠血脂水平,对血脂有着明确的调节作用。     

猪油与豆油对大鼠主动脉影响的扫描电镜观察

本实验观察了猪油与豆油对大鼠血脂水平和主动脉形态学改变的影响。成年雄性Ｗｉｓｔａｒ大鼠２４只分为猪油组、豆油组和对照组。观察结果表明：饲以高脂膳食２０天后，高脂组大鼠血清胆固醇水平显著高于对照组，猪油组显著高于豆油组。此后４０天，各组动物血清胆固醇含量维持在相对稳定的水平。至６０天时，在扫描电镜下可见高脂组大鼠主动脉发生病变，主要内皮细胞肿胀变形，排列紊乱，偶可见微血栓形成。猪组病变重于豆油组。     

月见草油对实验性高脂血症脂质过氧化、血浆TXA2、PGI2及ET水平的影响

用含２％月见草油的高脂饲料喂饲实验性高脂血症大鼠４周，分别对血脂、血清脂质过氧化物（ＬＰＯ）、血浆超氧化物歧化酶（ＳＯＤ）、血栓素（ＴＸＡ２）、前列腺素（ＰＧＩ２）及内皮素（ＥＴ）进行了检测，并用扫描电镜对动脉内皮进行了观察。结果发现：月见草油能降低血清总胆固醇（ＴＣ）及甘油三酯（ＴＧ）含量，提高高密度脂蛋白胆固醇（ＨＤＬ－Ｃ）含量；月见草油能显著降低血清ＬＰＯ水平，提高血浆ＳＯＤ活力；月见草油组大鼠血浆ＰＧＩ２水平明显增高，而ＴＸＡ２／ＰＧＩ２比值及血浆ＥＴ水平明显下降；月见草油组大鼠肝脏脂肪蓄积稍轻于高脂对照组；扫描电镜观察亦发现月见草油组大鼠动脉内皮损伤明显轻于高脂对照组。结果提示月见草油具有良好的降脂、保护内皮细胞及预防动脉粥样硬化形成的作用     

Effect of cholesterol feeding on tissue lipid perioxidation, glutathione peroxidase activity and liver microsomal functions in rats and guinea pigs.

The effect of cholesterol feeding on liver and aortic nonenzymatic lipid peroxidation and glutathione peroxidase activities, and on liver microsomal NADPH-dependent lipid peroxidation, codeine hydroxylation and cytochrome P-450 levels was examined in rats and guinea pigs. One percent cholesterol was added to a casein-sucrose-soybean oil basal diet for rats or a stock diet with 2% soybean oil for guinea pigs. The effect of vitamin E and cholestyramine was also examined in some experiments. Cholesterol feeding increased the rate of lipid peroxidation in liver and aortic homogenate both in rats and guinea pigs when fed non-vitamin E supplemented basal diets. Vitamin E supplementation prevented the increase in the aorta, but not as completely in the liver in rats, while the reverse was true in guinea pigs. The effect of cholestyramine was dependent on the level of vitamin E in the diet. Cholesterol feeding decreased glutathione peroxidase activities in rats and guinea pigs. In guinea pigs, cholesterol feeding also markedly decreased liver microsomal NADPH-dependent lipid peroxidation, codein hydroxylation and cytochrome P-450 levels especially when fed non-vitamin E supplemented basal diets. In rats, cholesterol feeding reduced liver microsomal NADPH-dependent lipid peroxidation and in some cases, increased microsomal codeine hydroxylation activities, but had no effect on microsomal cytochrome P-450 levels. Vitamin E supplementation increased liver and serum cholesterol levels in guinea pigs, but had no such effect in rats. Results of this study indicate that cholesterol feeding can result in various metabolic alterations in rats and guinea pigs. The implication of these alterations in atherogenesis requires further investigations.     

Beneficial effects of coconut water feeding on lipid metabolism in cholesterol-fed rats

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of coconut water feeding in cholesterol-fed rats. Male albino rats were fed tender coconut water and mature coconut water at a dose level of 4 mL/100 g of body weight. Cholesterol feeding caused a marked increase in total cholesterol, very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) + low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and triglycerides in serum. Administration of coconut water counteracts the increase in total cholesterol, VLDL + LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides, while high-density lipoprotein cholesterol was higher. Lipid levels in the tissues viz. liver, heart, kidney, and aorta were markedly decreased in cholesterol-fed rats supplemented with coconut water. Feeding coconut water resulted in increased activities of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase in liver, lipoprotein lipase in heart and adipose tissue, and plasma lecithin:cholesterol acyl transferase, while lipogenic enzymes showed decreased activities. An increased rate of cholesterol conversion to bile acid and an increased excretion of bile acids and neutral sterols were observed in rats fed coconut water. Histopathological studies of liver and aorta revealed much less fatty accumulation in these tissues in cholesterol-fed rats supplemented with coconut water. Feeding coconut water resulted in increased plasma L-arginine content, urinary nitrite level, and nitric oxide synthase activity. These results indicate that both tender and mature coconut water has beneficial effects on serum and tissue lipid parameters in rats fed cholesterol-containing diet.     

浓缩鱼油升高大鼠血清高密度脂蛋白胆固醇机理的探讨

本文从酶学方面探讨了富含廿碳五烯酸甲酯(EPA-M)和廿二碳六烯酸甲酯(DHA-M)浓缩鱼油升高大鼠血清高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)的机理。实验分三组(高脂组、高脂+橄榄油组和高脂+鱼油组)。后两组动物分别以灌胃法给予橄榄油与浓缩鱼油,每头0.5ml/d,高脂组不喂其它油脂,实验期6周。结果显示,鱼油组大鼠血清HDL-C水平显著高于高脂组和橄榄油组(P<0.01),H-DL-C的变化是由于高密度脂蛋白亚属Ⅱ胆固醇(HDL_2-C)水平升高,而高密度脂蛋白亚属薑胆固醇(HDL_3-C)水平无显著改变。鱼油组大鼠血清卵磷脂胆固醇酰基转移酶(LCAT)及肝素化后血浆脂蛋白脂酶(LPL)活性显著高于高脂组和橄榄油组(P<0.01),肝素化后血浆肝内皮细胞脂酶(HEL)活性显著低于其它两个对照组(P<0.05)。以上结果表明,浓缩鱼油可能通过激活LCAT和LPL活性促使HDL生成增加;同时抑制HEL活性,减少HDL的分解,从而传大鼠血清HDL-C水平升高。     

Cholesterol plus methionine feeding do not induce lipid peroxidation and atherosclerotic changes in the rat aorta

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether cholesterol plus methionine feeding may be a convenient model to produce atherosclerosis in rats, and also to examine the contribution of oxidative stress to this development. For this reason, lipid peroxide levels and antioxidant enzyme activities in the liver and aorta as well as histopathological findings were determined in male Wistar-albino rats fed a diet supplemented with cholesterol plus cholic acid and methionine for six months. This diet was found to increase lipid peroxide levels in the liver of rats. Hepatic glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and catalase (CAT) activities increased, but superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity remained unchanged. In conclusion, cholesterol and methionine feeding in rats did not cause oxidative stress and atherosclerotic changes in the aorta, although hepatic prooxidant-antioxidant balance was affected by this diet.     

The effects of berberine on hyperhomocysteinemia and hyperlipidemia in rats fed with a long-term high-fat diet

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: The study was undertaken to examine the effects of berberine (BBR) on serum homocysteine, lipids and the aortic lesion in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats fed with a long-term high-fat diet (HFD). METHODS: Healthy male SD rats weighing 190-210 g received randomly standard diet or a high-fat diet for 24 weeks. After 8 weeks of feeding, rats fed with HFD were randomized to receive berberine (200 mg * kg-1 * day-1) or vehicle by gavage for 16 weeks. After overnight fasting, all rats were sacrificed and total blood samples were also collected for determinant of fasting serum homocysteine (Hcy), total cholesterol (TC) and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) levels. The aorta was stained with hematoxylin and eosin (HE) and Sudan Sha to evaluate aortic lesion. The livers were dissected out and snap-frozen in liquid nitrogen for hepatic TC content and molecular analysis. 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-CoA reductase (HMGR), Lipoprotein receptors and apolipoproteins gene expression in the liver were determined by real-time PCR. RESULTS: Intragastrical administration with berberine for 16 weeks lowered serum Hcy in rats fed with a high-fat diet. In parallel, it also decreased body weight and improved serum TC and LDL-c. Berberine also tended to decrease hepatic cholesterol. Consistently, berberine also upregulated LDL receptor (LDLR) mRNA level and suppressed HMGR gene expression. Meanwhile, upon berberine-treated rats, there was a significant increase in apolipoprotein E (apoE) mRNA, but no change in apoAI and scavenger receptor (SR) mRNA in the liver. Further, no atherosclerotic lesions were developed in berberine-treated rats for 16 weeks. CONCLUSION: Berberine can counteract HFD-elicited hyperhomocysteinemia and hyperlipidemia partially via upregulating LDLR and apoE mRNA levels and suppressing HMGR gene expression.     

Effects of high molecular weight alcohols from sugar cane fed alone or in combination with plant sterols on lipid profile and antioxidant status of Wistar rats

The effect of feeding a mixture of high molecular weight alcohols derived from sugarcane (SCA), both alone and in combination with phytosterols (PS), on changes in plasma lipids, organ cholesterol accumulation, and antioxidant status of Wistar rats was undertaken. Three separate experiments were conducted and each experiment had 3 subsets. In experiment 1, rats were fed on an AIN-76, semi-synthetic diet supplemented with 0%, 0.5%, and 5% SCA w/w. The second experiment consisted of feeding rats an atherogenic diet (AIN-76+0.5% cholesterol) containing 0%, 0.5%, and 5% SCA w/w. The third experiment consisted of feeding rats an atherogenic diet that contained 2% PS in combination with 0%, 0.5%, and 5% SCA. Rats fed the atherogenic diet exhibited significant elevations in total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and significant reductions in the high-density lipoprotein/total cholesterol ratio, regardless of the presence of 0.5% or 5% SCA mixture. Serum cholesterol increased 29% to 35% in these animals compared with animals fed the nonatherogenic diets. In contrast, animals fed atherogenic diets that contained 2% PS exhibited no difference in serum lipids compared with counterparts fed nonatherogenic diets. The combined presence of SCA with PS had no effect on further lowering plasma cholesterol. No changes in C-reactive protein were observed, but plasma oxygen radical scavenging capacity values significantly (p?< 0.05) decreased when rats were fed the atherogenic diets that contained the combination of PS and SCA. This result corresponded to an apparent greater (p?< 0.05) susceptibility of red blood cells to oxidative stress.     

Supplementation with cyanidin-3-O-β-glucoside protects against hypercholesterolemia-mediated endothelial dysfunction and attenuates atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice

In this study, we investigated the protective effects of the anthocyanin cyanidin-3-O-β-glucoside (C3G) on hypercholesterolemia-induced endothelial dysfunction in apoE-deficient (apoE(-/-)) mice. In the prevention study, twenty 8-wk-old male apoE(-/-) mice (n = 10/group) were fed a high-fat, cholesterol-rich diet (HCD) or the HCD supplemented with C3G (2 g/kg diet) for 8 wk. The endothelium-dependent relaxation response to acetylcholine in the aortas of the C3G-fed mice was greater compared with those fed the HCD (P < 0.05). The atherosclerotic plaque area in the aortic sinus of mice fed the C3G diet was lowered by 54% compared with those fed the HCD (P < 0.01). Mice fed C3G had greater expression of the ATP-binding cassette transporter G1 (ABCG1) and lower cholesterol, mainly 7-ketocholesterol (7-KC), concentrations than those fed the HCD. Superoxide production and lipid hydroperoxides in aorta were lower in mice fed C3G compared with those fed the HCD. The phosphorylation levels at Ser1177 of endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) and the production of cyclic GMP (cGMP) in aorta were greater in C3G-fed mice than in HCD-fed mice. In the therapy study, apoE(-/-) mice were fed the HCD for 8 wk and then continued to receive the HCD or were switched to the HCD supplemented with C3G (2 g/kg diet) for another 8 wk. The established endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis were reversed, accompanied by greater ABCG1 expression in aorta, lower cholesterol and 7-KC concentrations, and greater generation of cGMP in mice fed C3G compared with those fed the HCD. Taken together, our results show that the anthocyanin C3G prevents or reverses hypercholesterolemia-induced endothelial dysfunction by inhibiting cholesterol and 7-oxysterol accumulation in the aorta and the subsequent decrease in superoxide production, thereby preserving eNOS activity and NO bioavailability.     

The effect of taurine on plasma cholesterol concentration in genetic type 2 diabetic GK rats

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of taurine on the plasma cholesterol concentration in genetic type 2 diabetic rats fed cholesterol-free or high-cholesterol diets. Diabetic rats (GK male rats) and normal rats (Wistar male rats) were fed either a cholesterol-free or cholesterol-enriched (1% cholesterol + 0.25% sodium cholate) diet supplemented with or without 3% taurine for 21 or 14 d. Compared to the normal rats, diabetic rats showed a high glucose concentration in their blood and plasma, but it was not affected by taurine feeding. The plasma insulin concentration was higher in the diabetic rats than in the normal rats. At the start of the experiment, the plasma cholesterol concentration was significantly higher in the diabetic rats than in the normal rats. Taurine did not affect the plasma cholesterol level in rats fed the cholesterol-free diet. However, taurine feeding significantly increased the plasma HDL-cholesterol concentration in the diabetic rats fed the cholesterol-free diet. In both the diabetic and normal rats fed the cholesterol diet, the plasma cholesterol concentration was significantly lower in rats fed the diet supplemented with taurine than in the rats fed the control diet. It was concluded that taurine has a hypocholesterolemic effect in both diabetic and normal rats fed diets containing cholesterol. Moreover, these results suggest that taurine seems to affect the HDL-cholesterol metabolism in diabetic rats fed a cholesterol-free diet.