Relationships between viscosity of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose and fecal bfle acid and neutral sterol excretion in hamsters

Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), a non-fermentable fiber, has been shown to reduce plasma cholesterol concentration in several species While HPMC appears to decrease cholesterol absorption in a manner related to viscosity, it is unknown whether HPMC also increases bile acid excretion as viscosity increases The present study was designed to examine the relationship between intestinal contents viscosity and the excretion of bile acids and neutral sterols Hamsters were fed diets containing 0 12% cholesterol and either 4% cellulose or one of four preparations of HPMC that varied in viscosity between 14 and 1698 centipoise, as estimated in vitro. Bile acid and neutral sterol excretion were measured Hamsters fed HPMC had significantly greater neutral sterol excretion than those fed cellulose (P < 0 0001) These results confirm previous studies which showed decreased cholesterol absorption with increased intestinal contents viscosity There were no differences in total bile acid excretion among diet groups There appears to be no relationship between intestinal contents viscosity and bile acid excretion, indicating that bile acid excretion is not part of the mechanism of cholesterol lowering by HPMC in hamsters Supported by the Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station.