Effects of Okinawan sugar cane rind on serum and liver cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the rat.

Okinawan sugar cane rind was fed to Wistar strain rats to examine its effects on the serum and liver cholesterol (Chol) and triglyceride (TG). At the same time, the effects of sugar cane rind on the fecal excretion of neutral sterols of the rats were examined. There were no significant differences found in the food intakes and the liver weight between the rats fed with sugar cane rind and other groups. The addition of 1% Chol to the diet caused a significant increase in body weight gain but the supplementation of sugar cane rind (2%) showed an effect on weight control of rats. The serum Chol and TG levels of the rats given sugar cane rind were lowered significantly. However, the lipid levels in the liver were almost the same when compared with the control groups. The amount of feces excreted by the rats fed with sugar cane rind was about 37% more than that of the control group, and the fecal excretion of neutral sterols was significantly higher.