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Abstract
Background: To evaluate the effect of tocotrienols on
serum lipids in cholesterol-fed rabbits.
Methods: In this experimental study, thirty six, male
New Zealand white rabbits were randomly allocated to
three equal groups. They were given either normal rabbit
diet (Group-I); or 2% high cholesterol diet (Group-II); or
2% high cholesterol diet with tocotrienols 6mg/kg body
weight/day (Group-III) orally for six weeks. Serum lipid
profile was analyzed at the start and end of study.
Results: Baseline levels of serum lipids were not
statistically different among the three groups (p>0.05). By
the end of experiment, Group-I showed insignificant
changes (p>0.05) while Groups-II&III exhibited significant
increase (p<0.001) in serum levels of total cholesterol, LDLC,
HDL-C and triglyceride in contrast to their baseline
levels. However, serum total cholesterol, LDL-C and
triglyceride levels were 27% (p<0.05), 29% (p<0.05), 13%
(p>0.05) lower respectively and HDL-C concentrations
were 4% higher (P>0.05) in tocotrienols-supplemented
group compared with rabbits using only high cholesterol
control diet.
Conclusion: Tocotrienols may be therapeutically
helpful as cholesterol lowering agents.