Effects of Modified Okara on Physiology and Intestinal Flora in Hyperlipidemic Rats

In an effort to evaluate the ameliorative effect of modified okara on obesity and hyperlipidemia, hyperlipidemic rats were orally administered with natural and modified okara and evaluated for body mass, blood lipids, visceral organ indexes and intestinal microbial abundance. The results showed that compared with the high-fat control group, the body mass, the serum levels of total cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and liver index of rats administered with modified okara were decreased by 6.3%–13.3%, 19.7%–32.0%, 47.0%–59.3%, 43.2%–55.3%, and 5.4%–12.8%, respectively. Serum high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) concentration was increased by 20.9%–48.5%, and the structure of intestinal microbiota was different between the two groups. Okara proved helpful to improve obesity and hyperlipidemia in rats, and Na₂HPO₄ modified okara was more effective than raw and NaOH modified okara. The relative abundance of beneficial bacteria, such as Bacteroides, Lactobacillus and Lactobacillus murinus, was increased, and the relative abundance of harmful bacteria, such as Proteobacteria and Shigella, was decreased after administration of okara. Firmicute has no significant correlation with body mass or blood lipid indexes. The relative abundance of Lactobacillus was positively correlated with body mass and HDL-C concentration, and negatively correlated with TC, TG, and LDL-C concentrations. However, its effects on body mass and blood lipids were not synchronous. Bacteroidetes and Bacteroides were beneficial for blood lipid indexes. Proteobacteria and the genus Escherichia Shigella in this family have negative effects on blood lipids. In summary, modified okara improves obesity and hyperlipidemia in rats by regulating the intestinal flora.