Effect of Taurine, Glycine and β-Sitosterols on Serum and Tissue Cholesterol in the Rat and Rabbit

Abstract

Rats and rabbits were fed a hypercholesteremic diet until elevated serum cholesterol levels were observed in all animals. The animals were then divided into groups, one group remaining on the original diet and the others receiving the same hypercholesteremic diet fortified with either taurine, glycine, or β-sitosterols. In the rat, 4 per cent taurine in the diet significantly decreased the serum, liver, and aorta cholesterol concentration, but glycine was without significant effect. In the rabbit, 2 per cent β-sitosterol in the diet significantly reduced the serum, liver, and aorta cholesterol, while taurine or glycine produced no significant effect. Neither taurine, glycine, nor β-sitosterols produced any signs of toxicity.