No. 76 Defining the mechanism of reduced blood cholesterol by α-cyclodextrin supplementation ③

Background

Our company has attract attention technologies in functional food and personal care fields which raises the water solubility, stability and bioavailability of functional ingredients by using the inclusion property of cyclodextrin (CD).

Because of its high water solubility and non-digestible property, α-CD can be taken as a water-soluble dietary fiber. Indeed, daily intake of α-CD shows some anti-metabolic syndrome effects, improvements of the intestinal environment and anti-allergy effect. We also reported some interesting results supporting those effects (* please refer to the newest result of research "16th", "42th", "44th" and "50th" of our homepage for details.).

In this study, we report a new knowledge of α-CD function on the mechanism of reduced blood cholesterol level by α-CD supplementation.

Functions of α-CD (human trial)

1. Anti-metabolic syndrome
   Lowering effect of fat and cholesterol
   Inhibition effect against an elevation in blood glucose level
2. Regulation of intestinal functions
3. Anti-allergy
   Atopic dermatitis, Cedar pollen allergy, Asthma

Our previous study

Lecithin was precipitated from bile acid micelle by complexation with α-CD.
Therefore, aqueous solubility of cholesterol was lowered in artificial intestinal juice (FeSSIF) due to reducing lecithin content by the complexation of lecithin with α-CD.

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We clarified one of the mechanisms of the reducing effect of blood cholesterol level by α-CD supplementation.
Further studies are continued for understanding the details of the mechanisms.

In this study

The decreasing effect of α-CD on the solubility of Cholesterol in FeSSIF was compared with other water soluble dietary fibers.

Water soluble dietary fibers and lipid lowering drug

• Resistant Maltodextrin (RM)
• Partially hydrolyzed (PHGG)
• Inulin (Inu)
• Polydextrose (PDX)
• Cholestyramine (CSA : Lipid lowering drug)

Experiment

Result. Comparison of α-CD with other dietary fibers

Colclusion

α-CD could be a potent inhibitor of the absorption of cholesterol from food matrix by interaction with lecithin in intestinal juice.

This mechanism have not be observed in other dietary fibers. So, we recommend for daily intake of α-CD as a unique and effective dietary fiber with many benefits.