 In the present study , the experimental diets containing BR and PGBR ( 00 , 00 h pre-germination ) were used to investigate the influence of pre-germination time of brown rice on blood cholesterol in Sprague-Dawley male rats . RESULTS : Hypercholesterolaemia and elevation of LDL-cholesterol were successfully ameliorated by the experimental diets containing BR and PGBR ( 00 and 00 h pre-germination ) . As compared to the control sample , the pre-germination time had a significant ( P < 0 . 00 ) effect on blood cholesterol of Sprague-Dawley male rats . It was also found that the significantly ( P < 0 . 00 ) better effect on lipid profile of hypercholesterolaemic rats was observed by prolonging the pre-germination time . As compared to non-germinated brown rice , the germinated brown rice showed the higher cardio-protective effect on hypercholesterolaemic Sprague-Dawley male rats . CONCLUSION : The present study suggests that the changes of blood cholesterol can be mainly modulated by using the PGBR rather than BR . The prolonging of pre-germination time led to an increase in the bioactive components , thereby providing a more efficient functional diet affecting the high blood cholesterol . 