The present study focused on the role of galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) against the development of hypercholesterolemia. In the current research, GOS synthesized from lactose solution were fed to hypercholesterolemic female Sprague-Dawley rats. Negative control group (G1) was fed on standard basal diet alone. Positive control group (G5) was fed on inulin (154 mg/250 g body weight), while treatment groups G2, G3 and G4 received 110 mg, 154 mg and 198.4 mg/250 g body weight, respectively, of GOS along with high-fat diet for a period of 60 days. Findings from this study revealed that animals belonging to prebiotic GOS (G2, G3 and G4)-fed group showed significantly decreased serum triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and VLDL cholesterol as compared to control group (G0). The groups which were fed on different doses of GOS revealed a significant reduction in TC, TG, LDL, and VLDL levels and an increase in HDL level corresponding to the reference group that was fed on inulin, while G1 negative control group revealed increased levels of TC, TG, LDL and VLDL. In contrast to positive control group G5 (154 mg inulin), all doses of GOS lowered serum TC, TG and LDL-C and raised HDL-C; however, G4 (198.4 mg) proved to be more effective. Hence, GOS proved to be supportive in preventing hypercholesterolemia leading cause of cardiovascular disease and atherosclerosis. This study reported a significant reduction of serum TC, TG and LDL-C in female rats for 60 days as compared to control. Conclusively, GOS were found to be worthless against hypercholesterolemia.
Keywords: Cholesterol; Galacto-oligosaccharides; Prebiotics; Triglycerides.