Serum lipid and lipoprotein fractions in bengal gram and biochanin A induced alterations in atherosclerosis.

Serum lipids and lipoproteins were studied in rabbits fed on egg yolk supplemented diet to induce hypercholesterolemia. Bengal gram and synthetically pure isoflavone Biochanin A have been used as lipodiatic agents in this study. Rabbits were divided into four groups: Group A were fed on egg yolk supplement alone to form the positive control group, Group B were fed with 40 gms of overnight soaked bengal gram (Cicer arietinum), Group C were fed with 50 mgs of Biochanin A fortnightly, Group D was negative control group fed on pelleted laboratory feed. Serum samples were taken every month and total cholesterol, triglycerides and HDL cholesterol were estimated. The other lipoproteins like LDL cholesterol and VLDL cholesterol were obtained by calculations. The Group B and C showed a significant decrease of their lipids and lipoprotein in comparison to Group A thereby indicating the lipodiatic effect of these two substances. However, HDL cholesterol showed an increase in these two groups thereby proving that an increased HDL cholesterol has a protective effect on the atherosclerotic process.