Journal of Lipid Research, Vol 28, 1-9, Copyright © 1987 by Lipid Research, Inc.
Effects of synthetic glycosides on steroid balance in Macaca fascicularis
MR Malinow, WH Elliott, P McLaughlin and B Upson
The predominantly beta-anomer of diosgenin glucoside (DG) was synthesized
and its effects on cholesterol homeostasis were tested in monkeys.
Cynomolgus macaques (Macaca fascicularis) were fed, during two 3-week
periods, a semipurified diet with 0.1% cholesterol and a similar ration
containing 1% DG, respectively. A Chow diet was given for 5 weeks between
the experimental periods. Cholesterol and bile acid balance were analyzed
during the last week of each semipurified diet. Diosgenin glucoside reduced
cholesterolemia from 292 mg/dl to 172 mg/dl, decreased intestinal
absorption of exogenous cholesterol from 62.4% to 26.0%, and increased
secretion of endogenous cholesterol from - 0.8 to 93.5 mg/day. The fecal
excretion of neutral steroids rose from 40.7 to 157.3 mg/day; that of bile
acids changed, nonsignificantly, from 23.1 to 16.0 mg/day. The cholesterol
balance was -44 mg/day in the control period, and 88 mg/day in the DG-fed
animals. No toxic signs were observed. Thus, when long-term studies
demonstrate that the glucoside is well tolerated, DG and other synthetic
glycosides with similar activities may be of use in the management of
hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis.