RESUMO
The aim of this study was to investigate the prophylactic and curative effects of barley and its bran against hyperlipaemia in albino rats. A total of 88 adult male albino rats "Swiss strain" weighting about 80-100g were used in 2 main experiments. [1] The prophylactic effect of barley and bran against hyperlipaemia for 8 weeks and [2] The curative effect of barley and bran for 8 weeks after induction of hyperlipaemia [using cholesterol and cholic acid]. The data revealed that there were increase in the levels of serum total lipids, total cholesterol, triglycerides, ALT, AST, ATP and LDH, while HDL-cholesterol level was decreased after the induction of hyperlipaemia. These results suggested that barley and bran may evoke different lipidaemic responses and that barley bran has more favorable effect on blood lipids than whole barley. Results were compared with those of Atorvastatin, a standard orally effective hypolipaemic agent