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Clinical Implications of Recent Research Results in Arteriosclerosis pp 241–254Cite as

Effects of Alfalfa Saponins on Regression of Atherosclerosis in Monkeys

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Part of the book series: Abhandlungen der Rheinisch-Westfälischen Akademie der Wissenschaften ((ARAW,volume 70))

Abstract

The inclusion of alfalfa meal (sun-cured alfalfa hay, Medicago sativa) in the diet of cholesterol-fed cynomolgus macaques lowers cholesterolemia, normalizes the relative concentrations of plasma lipoproteins, and induces the regression of aortic and coronary atherosclerosis (Malinow et al., 1978b). It seems likely that alfalfa saponins are responsible for these beneficial effects since saponins from other sources reduce cholesterolemia in chicks (Griminger and Fisher, 1958; Newman et al., 1958; Morgan et al., 1972), pigs (Topping et al., 1980a), and rats (Oakenfull et al., 1979; Topping et al., 1980b). Research in this direction, however, has been hampered by the difficulty of obtaining sufficient amounts of alfalfa saponins devoid of contaminating substances. We have prepared an extract from alfalfa hay that contains saponins identifiable by thin-layer chromatography (unpublished data) and we have enhanced its capacity to interfere with cholesterol absorption by partial acid hydrolysis (Malinow et al., 1977). Although the extract may also contain unspecified amounts of carbohydrates, amino acids, peptides, pigments, and free aglycones (unpublished data) removed from alfalfa hay by the water: alcohol solvent used during its preparation, we have named the crude extract alfalfa saponins as an operational definition. These alfalfa saponins reduce the intestinal absorption of cholesterol in rats (Malinow et al., 1977) and monkeys (Malinow et al., 1981; they also decrease cholesterolemia in monkeys and increase the fecal excretion of neutral steroids and bile acids (Malinow et al., 1981).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Oregon Regional Primate Research Center, Portland Western Regional Research Center, United States Department of Agriculture, Beaverton Oregon Health Sciences University, Berkeley, California, USA

    M. R. Malinow, P. McLaughlin, C. Stafford, A. L. Livingston & J. W. Senner

Authors
  1. M. R. Malinow
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  2. P. McLaughlin
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  3. C. Stafford
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  4. A. L. Livingston
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  5. J. W. Senner
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© 1983 Westdeutscher Verlag GmbH, Opladen

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Malinow, M.R., McLaughlin, P., Stafford, C., Livingston, A.L., Senner, J.W. (1983). Effects of Alfalfa Saponins on Regression of Atherosclerosis in Monkeys. In: Clinical Implications of Recent Research Results in Arteriosclerosis. Abhandlungen der Rheinisch-Westfälischen Akademie der Wissenschaften, vol 70. VS Verlag für Sozialwissenschaften, Wiesbaden. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-322-98699-3_20

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-322-98699-3_20

  • Publisher Name: VS Verlag für Sozialwissenschaften, Wiesbaden

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-322-98700-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-322-98699-3

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