RESUMEN
Phytosterol-rich fraction (PRF) obtained from palm fatty acid distillate (PFAD) was investigated for its effect on blood serum lipid profile of dyslipidemia rats. Dyslipidemia was induced by force feeding cholesterol to five groups of rats; one group was a control or normal group. Cholesterol force-fed groups were treated with 0, 10, 20, 30, and 40 mg PRF/kg/day for 4 weeks. All groups of rats were fed standard diet. A normal group was fed standard diet without PRF treatment and cholesterol force feeding. Lipid profile was measured every week (0, 1, 2, 3, and 4). Four-week treatment resulted in significant blood serum lipid profile improvement. PRF improved blood serum lipid profile by decreasing total cholesterol, triglyceride, and low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol level and increasing high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol level. The doses of PRF significantly affected blood serum lipid profile as well as duration of PRF treatment. PRF inhibited cholesterol absorption, which delayed blood serum total cholesterol rise. Cholesterol absorption inhibition was also indicated by higher fecal cholesterol concentration after PRF feeding. These results indicate the beneficial effect of PRF in the treatment of dyslipidemia.