Abstract: Objective: To explore the effect of phytosterol on lowering blood lipid in vivo. Methods: The experimental animals were divided into 5 groups including the control group fed with a basal diet, model group given with a high-fat diet and three intervention groups administered with phytosterol at does of 0.5%, 1.0% and 2.0%. Hyperlipidemic indicators were tested. Results: Total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride(TG) and non-high density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) exhibited a significant decrease and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) revealed an obvious increase in a dose-dependent manner in rats from the intervention groups. However, the model group exhibited opposite results. The activity of cholinesterase (CHE) was decreased in plasma and liver in the model group, but the CHE activity in the intervention groups was improved. Conclusion: Phytosterol has obvious effect on lowering blood lipid and inhibiting lipid peroxidation, thereby having hepatoprotective effect.

Key words: phytosterol, hyperlipidemia, rats, cholinesterase