Hypocholesterolemic Effect of α-Ketoglutarate in the Mongolian Gerbil 1

Summary

In an effort to elucidate the mechanism of the hypocholesterolemic effect of glutamic acid previously demonstrated in the Mongolian gerbil, several amino acid formula diets have been studied. The diets containing amino acids which could be readily converted to α-ketoglutarate were hypocholesterolemic, while the diets containing amino acids not readily converted to α-ketoglutarate were not. The diet containing α-ketoglutarate was the most effective.

No significant correlation could be made between the serum cholesterol and the hepatic squalene or cholesterol content. However, the animals with the lowest serum cholesterol levels had correspondingly low hepatic cholesterol levels.

The authors thank Miss Carole Williams for her technical assistance and Miss Shannon Smith for the preparation of the manuscript.