Supplementation of prebiotics to a whey-based beverage reduces the risk of hypercholesterolaemia in rats

Fructooligosaccharide-supplemented whey drinks may have potential as an interventional strategy for lowering cholesterol and triglyceride levels in dyslipidaemic conditions. A bioefficacy study was conducted in normal, hypercholesterolaemic and hyperglycaemic Sprague Dawley rats, running two consecutive trials for validity of results. Control drink (T0), whey drink (T1) and whey drink supplemented with 1.5% fructooligosaccharides (T4), were given to each group. The functional drink caused a significant reduction in serum total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL) and triglycerides, and an increase in high density lipoprotein. The greatest decline in total cholesterol was induced by T4 (10.9% and 12.0% in hypercholesterolaemic rats and 7.0% and 7.7% in hyperglycaemic rats, for trials 1 and 2, respectively). The decrease in total cholesterol by T4 was mainly due to a pronounced decrease in LDL cholesterol (14.7% and 16.1% in hypercholesterolaemic rats and 7.4% and 8.1% in hyperglycaemic rats for trials 1 and 2, respectively).