Antilithiasic and hypocholesterolemic effects of diets containing autoclaved amylomaize starch in hamster

The prevention of cholelithiasis by dietary manipulation was investigated in hamsters receiving a fat-free lithogenic (L) diet or this diet in which sucrose was replaced by 12 (group AS₁₂), 36 (group AS₃₆), 48 (group AS₄₈), or 72.5% (group AS_72.5) of autoclaved amylomaize starch for seven weeks. All hamsters (6/6) had cholesterol gallstones in groups L and AS₁₂, while only 3/6 hamsters in group AS₃₆ had gallstones. None were present in groups AS₄₈ and AS_72.5. Excent in group AS₁₂, biliary cholesterol level and lithogenic index, (LI) decreased significantly in hamsters receiving amylomaize starch. Plasma cholesterol concentration was reduced by 31 and 54%, respectively, in groups AS₄₈ and AS_72.5 as compared to group L. The concentration of esterified cholesterol in the liver was also reduced significantly in all groups receiving amylomaize starch. Hepatic cholesterogenesis was decreased by 74 and 65%, respectively, in groups AS₄₈ and AS_72.5 as compared to group L. The transformation of cholesterol to bile acids was increased in group AS_72.5 (+152%) as compared to L, while fecal cholesterol excretion was strongly lowered (–31%). Amylomaize starch reduced the microbial transformation of cholesterol to coprosterol and epicoprosterol, and in group AS_72.5 it decreased the degradation of cholic acid. Thus, this autoclaved amylomaize starch, which could be used in human nutrition, prevents cholelithiasis and lowers cholesterolemia.This investigation was supported by a C.R.E. grant awarded by INSERM and Caisse Régionale d'Assurance Maladie de l'Ile de France.