Non-treated high-amylos corn starch (HAS) andheat-moisture-treated HAS (HMT) are resistant starch enrichedfood-stuff. In this study, we examined the influence of resistantstarches of HAS and HMT on cholesterol metabolism of Wistar ratsfed a high-fat and high-cholesterol (0.25%) diet either containing20%, of untreated corn starch (control group), HAS (HAS group) orHMT (HMT group) for 18 days. Fecal weights of the HAS or HMT weresignificantly higher than that of control group, and that of HMTwas significantly higher than that of HAS group. Fecal cholesterolexcretions of the HAS or HMT groups were higher than that of thecontrol group. Fecal bile acid excretion of the HAS or HMT groupswere significantly higher than that of the control group. Livercholesterol 7α-hydroxylase activity increased significantly in theHMT group. Serum and liver cholesterol levels remained unchanged inthe HAS and HMT groups. These results showed that the ingestion ofHAS and HMT effectively functioned as dietary fiber supplement andaccerarated fecal bile acid excretion.

Key words: resistant starch, cholesterol metabolism, high amylosecorn starch, heat- moisture-treated, rat