Regulative functions of lipid metabolism by dietary antlered form of Ganoderma lucidum using sawdust of apple branch as medium in rats

Abstract

The regulative effects of lipid metabolism by the dietary antlered form of Ganoderma lucidum (AAFGL) using sawdust of an apple branch as a medium were studied in rats fed 0.5% cholesterol. Male Sprague-Dawly (SD) rats (5 weeks old, n = 6-7 per group) were divided into control and 1% AAFGL groups. Rats were given test diets for 14 days. In the AAFGL group, the weight of white adipose tissue tended to be lower, blood pressure was decreased and blood flow velocity tended to be faster. Moreover, the levels of liver and serum cholesterol tended to be lower in the AAFGL group, but the level of serum HDL-cholesterol was significantly higher, indicating that the atherosclerotic index in the AAFGL group was significantly decreased compared with the control. In addition, dietary AAFGL lowered the liver triglyceride level and there was a slight increase in the excretion of neutral and acidic steroids in the feces of the AAFGL group. Thus, dietary AAFGL may exert a preventive function against obesity and a regulative function of lipid metabolism.