It is known that in the process of digestion and absorption of nutrients, one of the key roles belongs to polysaccharides (among which there are alginic acid), which have the ability to increase viscosity and form a gel in the intestine. Previously, we studied the physiological effects of pectin, cellulose and their amidated derivatives that have demonstrated growth of hypocholesterolemic activity in the rats. From here, it was decided to investigate the hypocholesterolemic effect of

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... ated alginate on laboratory animals. That's why, female rats were fed according to three diets, namely the control (1) and two experimental (2 and 3), which contained cholesterol (10 g/kg) and different amounts N–alkylamidated alginate (0 and 40 g / kg, respectively), and all animals fed also palm oil. N–alkylamidated alginate significantly lowered the level of cholesterol (total and LDL) in serum and liver and of hepatic total lipids in the rats, which were on cholesterol–containing diet. In the faeces of animals that consumed N–alkylamidated alginate, it was observed increased concentrations of fat from 61 to 91 mg / g, while the concentration of cholesterol, bile acids and total sterols was not significantly changed.Hence, decrease cholesterolemia in rats (that consumed N–alkylamidated alginate) is probably based more on the removal of fat from the intestine, rather than on the interruption of enterohepatic circulation of cholesterol.