Research Article
Nayeon Lee, Ra Mi Lee, Chi Ho
Abstract
The overweight and obesity caused and exacerbated many diseases. Therefore, consumer demands for functional food which can prevent or decrease overweight and obesity is increased. This study was performed to investigate the effects of the dietary Allium hookeri root powder on the body fat deposition and biochemical parameters in guinea pigs. The guinea pigs were fed aF control diet (CON), as well as the control diet including 1% freeze-dried Allium hookeri root powder (AH). The final body weight, total body and weight gain, total feed intake and feed efficiency ratio (FER) were not significantly different between CON and AH groups (p<0.05). However, the weight of perirenal adipose tissue (PAT) and the epididymal adipose tissue (EAT) in the AH were significantly lower than those of the CON (p<0.05). The triglycerides, total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels in the AH were significantly lower than those of the CON (p<0.05). The saturated fatty acid (SFA) levels in the AH were significantly lower than those of the CON (p<0.05). The results of this study suggested that the dietary Allium hookeri root powder may decrease fat accumulation, and to improve blood hyperlipidemia in guinea pigs.