Effects of Fermented Barley Extract on Antioxidant Status in Mice

Effects of dietary supplementation with Fermented barley extract (FBE) oil lipid metabolism and antioxidant status in mice were studied. In experiment 1, male 5-month-old mice were fed either a control diet or an experimental diet containing 10% barley, fermented barley fiber (striated part of barley grain) or FBE for 3 months. In experiment 2, male 5-month-old mice were fed either a control diet or in experimental diet containing FBE or FBEP (adsorbed fraction of FBE on the hydrophobic resin) for 3 months. The thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) concentrations in both plasma and liver were significantly lower in the FBE and FBEP groups than the control group. Erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase activity was significantly higher in the FBEP group than in the other groups. Liver glutathione content was significantly higher in the FBEP group than in the control group. These results suggest that FBEP prepared from the water-soluble fraction of barley-shochu distillery by-products, significantly reduces oxidative stress in the body