The anti-atherogenic effect of dietary soybean protein concentrate in hamsters

Two groups of Golden Syrian hamsters were fed cholesterol-enriched semipurified diets containing either 40% casein or soybean protein concentrate for a period of 8 weeks. Compared to the casein-containing diet, animals fed the soybean protein concentrate had significant reductions in plasma total cholesterol (TC) (-19%) and very low density and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C+LDL-C) (-33%) with no significant effects on high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). Plasma triglycerides were also significantly reduced (-51%) in the soybean protein concentrate fed hamsters compared to the casein-fed animals. Compared to the casein-fed hamsters, the degree of aortic fatty streak involvement was reduced by 76% in the soybean protein concentrate-fed hamsters. There was a significant correlation between TC and aortic fatty streak area (r = 0.584, p = 0.01) and between VLDL-C+LDL-C and aortic fatty streak area (r = 0.579, p = 0.01). Thus, this study demonstrates that the hypocholesterolemic properties of soybean protein concentrate relative to casein are associated with a striking reduction in aortic fatty streak formation. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Inc.