A tocotrienol-rich fraction (TRF(25)) and novel tocotrienols (d-P(21)-T3 and d-P(25)-T3) of rice bran significantly lowered serum and low density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in chickens. The present study evaluated the effects of novel tocotrienols on lipid metabolism in swine expressing hereditary hypercholesterolemia. Fifteen 4-mo-old genetically hypercholesterolemic swine were divided into five groups (n = 3). Four groups were fed a corn-soybean control diet, supplemented with 50 microg of either TRF(25), gamma-tocotrienol, d-P(21)-T3 or d-P(25)-T3 per g for 6 wk. Group 5 was fed the control diet for 6 wk and served as a control. After 6 wk, serum total cholesterol was reduced 32-38%, low density lipoprotein cholesterol was reduced 35-43%, apolipoprotein B was reduced 20-28%, platelet factor 4 was reduced 12-24%, thromboxane B(2) was reduced 11-18%, glucose was reduced 22-25% (P<0.01), triglycerides were reduced 15-19% and glucagon was reduced 11-17% (P<0.05) in the treatment groups relative to the control. Insulin was 100% greater (P<0.01) in the treatment groups than in the control group. Preliminary data (n = 1) indicated that hepatic activity of the 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase was lower in the treatment groups, and cholesterol 7alpha-hydroxylase activity was unaffected. Cholesterol and fatty acid levels in various tissues were lower in the treatment groups than in control. After being fed the tocotrienol-supplemented diets, two swine in each group were transferred to the control diet for 10 wk. The lower concentrations of serum lipids in these four treatment groups persisted for 10 wk. This persistent effect may have resulted from the high tocotrienol levels in blood of the treatment groups, suggesting that the conversion of tocotrienols to tocopherols may not be as rapid as was reported in chickens and humans.
