Effect of Enzyme-Treated Radish Leaves on Lipid Metabolism in Rats Fed a High-Fat Diet

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of enzyme-treated radish (Raphanus sativus L.) leaves on lipid metabolism in rats fed a high fat diet. Rats were divided into four experimental groups which were composed of a high fat diet group (HF group), a high fat diet with 10% radish leaf powder-supplemented group (MA group), a high fat diet with 5% enzyme-treated radish leaf powder-supplemented group (MB group) and a high fat diet with 10% enzyme-treated radish leaf powder-supplemented group (MC group). Total dietary fiber content of enzyme-treated radish leaves were greater than untreated radish leaves. Body weight gain and food efficiency ratio (FER) of the HF group increased compared to the MA, MB and MC groups. The serum total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and atherogenic index contents in the radish leaf powder-supplemented groups were lower than that of the HF group, while those values for the MB and MC groups were significantly lower than that of the HF group. The serum HDL-cholesterol contents of the MB and MC groups increased compared to the HF group. The hepatic triglyceride contents of the MA, MB and MC groups decreased compared to the HF group. In fact, the hepatic triglyceride contents of the MB and MC groups were significantly lower than the MA group. The hepatic total cholesterol contents of the MB and MC groups significantly decreased compared to those of the HF group. The fecal total cholesterol contents of the MA, MB and MC groups significantly increased compared to those of the HF group. These results indicate that supplementation with enzyme-treated radish leaves increase the useful fiber contents. Furthermore, it may have a pronounced impact on lipid metabolism of serum and liver in rats fed a high fat diet.