Effects of Chitosan Hydrolysates on Lipid Absorption and on Serum and Liver Lipid Concentration in Rats

The enzymatic hydrolysates of chitosan with average molecular weights range from 5000 to 20 000 and with low viscosity interfered with intestinal absorption of cholesterol in lymph fistulated rats and increased fecal excretion of neutral steroids in rats fed a cholesterol-enriched diet. The hydrolysates exerted a cholesterol-lowering activity, and it was more marked in the liver than in the serum. They also reduced liver triglyceride significantly. Chitosan hydrolysates with average molecular weights of 10 000–20 000 were as effective as high-viscous chitosan with a molecular weight of 50 000. The results indicate usability of low-viscosity chitosan hydrolysate as a hypocholesterolemic agent.