Benefits of Anthocyanin-Rich Black Rice Fraction and Wood Sterols to Control Plasma and Tissue Lipid Concentrations in Wistar Kyoto Rats Fed an Atherogenic Diet.

Background This study reports on the relative effects of administrating a cyanidin-3--glucoside-rich black rice fraction (BRF), a standardized wood sterol mixture (WS), and a combination of both to lower plasma and target tissue lipid concentrations in Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats fed atherogenic diets. Methods Male WKY ( = 40) rats were randomly divided into five groups, which included a nonatherogenic control diet and atherogenic diets that included a positive control and atherogenic diets supplemented with BRF or WS, respectively, and a combination of both BRF + WS. Plasma and target tissue liver, heart and aorta cholesterol, and triacylglycerides (TAG) content were also measured. Results Rats fed atherogenic diets exhibited elevated hyperlipidemia compared to counterparts fed nonatherogenic diets ( < 0.001); this effect was mitigated by supplementing the atherogenic diets with BRF and WS, respectively ( < 0.05). Combining BRF with WS to enrich the supplement lowered cholesterol similar to the WS effect ( < 0.05) and lowered TAG characteristic to the BRF effect ( < 0.05). Conclusions Rats fed diets containing BRF or WS effectively mitigate the hypercholesterolemia and elevated TAG induced by feeding an atherogenic diet. The benefit of adding BRF + WS together is relevant to the lipid parameter measured and is target tissue-specific.