Dietary inositol hexakisphosphate, but not myo-inositol, clearly improves hypercholesterolemia in rats fed casein-type amino acid mixtures and 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis (p-chlorophenyl) ethane

Abstract We have previously shown that dietary inositol hexakisphosphate (IP6) and myo -inositol prevent fatty liver in rats fed a casein-based diet containing 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2- bis ( p -chlorophenyl) ethane (DDT). This study was performed to examine the comparative effects of dietary equimolar amounts of sodium IP6 (1.02%) and myo -inositol (0.2%) on the development of DDT-induced fatty liver and hypercholesterolemia in rats fed 20% casein-type amino acid mixtures designed to exclude a possible myo -inositol contaminant in casein. Thirty-six male Wistar rats were divided into 6 groups of 6 rats each for: a control group, myo -inositol–supplemented group, IP6-supplemented group, DDT-treated group, DDT + myo -inositol–supplemented group, and a DDT + IP6–supplemented group. Dietary IP6 clearly suppressed the rises in serum concentrations of cholesterol and phospholipids because of DDT feeding, but myo -inositol had no significant influence on such elevations. Dietary IP6, but not myo -inositol, caused significant body weight gain with or without DDT intake. Supplemental IP6 and myo -inositol significantly increased hepatic-free myo -inositol regardless of DDT intake and prevented fatty liver in rats fed DDT. In conclusion, dietary IP6 and myo -inositol exert similar effects on DDT-induced fatty liver and myo -inositol status but distinct effects on DDT-induced hypercholesterolemia and growth rate in rats fed casein-type amino acid mixtures.