Effect of pancreatic lipase inhibitor and sorbent of lipids on cholesterolaemia and faecal output of fat in rats

Obesity and high cholesterolaemia are major health problems in industrialized countries. The effects of the antiobesity drug orlistat at 0.3 g kg-1 and amidated alginate at 40 g kg-1 on serum and hepatic cholesterol and the faecal output of fat and sterols were compared in female rats. Rats were fed diets containing cholesterol and palm fat at 10 and 70 g kg-1, respectively. Palm fat was provided by coconut meal. Amidated alginate (the octadecylamide of alginic acid) is a sorbent of lipids, and orlistat (tetrahydrolipstatin) is an inhibitor of pancreatic lipase. Both agents significantly increased the faecal loss of fat, orlistat, however, did not significantly decrease serum total cholesterol and its effect on hepatic cholesterol was less pronounced. Amidated alginate at 40 g kg-1 significantly decreased serum total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, hepatic cholesterol, and hepatic lipids, and increased the faecal output of fat and coprostanol (a metabolite of cholesterol). Both orlistat and amidated alginate modified the fatty acid profile in excreted lipids. The concentration of saturated fatty acids decreased and the concentration of unsaturated fatty acids increased. Despite different modes of action, orlistat and amidated alginate were equally efficient in the removing dietary fat from the body. Amidated alginate, however, was more active in the control of serum and hepatic lipid metabolism.