Effect of the incorporation of amaranth (Amaranthus mantegazzianus) into fat- and cholesterol-rich diets for Wistar rats

Abstract

The hypocholesterolemic effect of amaranth was studied in male Wistar rats fed a high-fat diet that was supplemented with amaranth flour, AF, or isolated protein, AI. Likewise, an in vitro test was carried out, in which the capacity of the AI, AF, the digested isolate, DAI, and the digested amaranth flour, DAF, to displace the cholesterol of the model micelles was evaluated. The in vivo results showed an increase in the excretion of cholesterol through feces (77 % for AF7; 23 and 108 % for AI30 and AF30, respect control) and a decrease in the content of hepatic cholesterol (98% for AF7; 96 and 53 % for AI30 and AF 30 respect control); while in vitro it was shown that both AF and DAF have greater power to displace cholesterol than the AI and DAI (IC50 0.1 mg/mL, 0.71 mg/mL, 0.2 mg/mL and 2.1 for AF, DAF, AI, and DAI, respectively). These evidences show that the proteins and fibers of amaranth have an effect on cholesterol metabolism.