# Technical Document Analysis: "The Ability of Dietary Glycan to Lower Elevated Blood Cholesterol and Triglycerides in Rats"
**Date:** June 18, 1975
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## **Experiment Overview**
Ten male rats were fed a **control diet** (basal + cholesterol and cholic acid) for four weeks and divided into two groups:
1. **Group 2A**: Continued on the control diet.
2. **Group 2B**: Received a test diet identical to the control diet except **15 parts of glycan replaced 15 parts of sucrose**.
3. **Group #1**: Fed a **basal diet** for four weeks, then switched back to the basal diet.
**Procedure**:
- Whole blood was drawn weekly from the caudal vein for serum cholesterol analysis.
- At the end of four weeks, whole blood was drawn via heart puncture for additional analysis.
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## **Blood Analysis Table**
| Group | #1 (mg% 0 Wk.) | #2a (mg% 4 Wk.) | #3b (mg% 4 Wk.) |
|-------------|------------------|------------------|------------------|
| **Cholesterol** | 96 | 157 | 157 |
| | 96 | 148 | 115 |
| | 96 | 156 | 99 |
| | 103 | 133 | 111 |
| **Triglycerides** | 293 | 203 | 169 |
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## **Key Observations**
1. **Cholesterol Levels**:
- Group #1 (basal diet) showed stable cholesterol levels (~96 mg%) over four weeks.
- Group #2a (control diet) had elevated cholesterol (157–156 mg%) initially, decreasing to 133 mg% by week 4.
- Group #3b (glycan-modified diet) showed the lowest cholesterol (115–111 mg%) by week 4.
2. **Triglycerides**:
- Group #1 had significantly higher triglycerides (293 mg%) compared to Groups #2a (203 mg%) and #3b (169 mg%).
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## **Methodological Notes**
- **Control Diet**: Basal + cholesterol and cholic acid.
- **Test Diet**: Same as control but with glycan replacing sucrose.
- **Sampling**: Weekly blood draws (caudal vein) and final heart puncture for comprehensive analysis.
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## **Source**
https://www.industrydocuments.ucsf.edu/docs/hnhd0227
