Role and classification of cholesterol-lowering functional foods

Effect of Gut Microbiota on Blood Cholesterol: A Review on Mechanisms

The gut microbiota serves as a pivotal mediator between diet and human health. Emerging evidence has shown that the gut microbiota may play an important role in cholesterol metabolism. In this review, we delve into five possible mechanisms by which the gut microbiota may influence cholesterol metabolism: (1) the gut microbiota changes the ratio of free bile acids to conjugated bile acids, with the former being eliminated into feces and the latter being reabsorbed back into the liver; (2) the gut microbiota can ferment dietary fiber to produce short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) which are absorbed and reach the liver where SCFAs inhibit cholesterol synthesis; (3) the gut microbiota can regulate the expression of some genes related to cholesterol metabolism through their metabolites; (4) the gut microbiota can convert cholesterol to coprostanol, with the latter having a very low absorption rate; and (5) the gut microbiota could reduce blood cholesterol by inhibiting the production of lipopolysaccharides (LPS), which increases cholesterol synthesis and raises blood cholesterol. In addition, this review will explore the natural constituents in foods with potential roles in cholesterol regulation, mainly through their interactions with the gut microbiota. These include polysaccharides, polyphenolic entities, polyunsaturated fatty acids, phytosterols, and dicaffeoylquinic acid. These findings will provide a scientific foundation for targeting hypercholesterolemia and cardiovascular diseases through the modulation of the gut microbiota.

In Vitro Probiotic Properties of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis SF and Its Alleviating Effect on Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common chronic liver disease with many influencing factors. With the increasing role of the gut–liver axis in various liver diseases, research on the prevention and treatment of NAFLD with probiotics is increasing. In the present study, a Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. strain, B. lactis SF, was isolated from the feces of healthy infants and characterized by sequencing of the 16S rDNA. A systematic probiotic evaluation was carried out, and a diet-induced mouse model was constructed to study the effect and mechanism of B. lactis SF on diet-induced NAFLD. Results show that B. lactis SF has excellent gastrointestinal fluid tolerance and intestinal colonization, and strong antibacterial and antioxidant capabilities. In vivo, B. lactis SF modulated intestinal flora, restored the intestinal barrier, and inhibited LPS entrance into the portal circulation, which subsequently inhibited the TLR4/NF-κB and modulated the PI3K-Akt/AMPK signaling pathway, attenuated the inflammatory response, and reduced lipid accumulation. In addition, B. lactis SF attenuated oxidative stress and further alleviated autophagy, resulting in an ameliorative effect on NAFLD. Therefore, our study provides a new dietary method for the treatment of NAFLD.

Polyphenols, Saponins and Phytosterols in Lentils and Their Health Benefits: An Overview

The lentil (Lens culinaris L.) is one of the most important legumes (family, Fabaceae). It is a natural functional food rich in many bioactive compounds, such as polyphenols, saponins and phytosterols. Several studies have demonstrated that the consumption of lentils is potentially important in reducing the incidence of a number of chronic diseases, due to their bioactive compounds. The most common polyphenols in lentils include phenolic acids, flavan-3-ol, flavonols, anthocyanidins, proanthocyanidins or condensed tannins, and anthocyanins, which play an important role in the prevention of several degenerative diseases in humans, due to their antioxidant activity. Furthermore, lentil polyphenols are reported to have antidiabetic, cardioprotective and anticancer activities. Lentil saponins are triterpene glycosides, mainly soyasaponins I and βg. These saponins have a plasma cholesterol-lowering effect in humans and are important in reducing the risk of many chronic diseases. Moreover, high levels of phytosterols have been reported in lentils, especially in the seed coat, and β-sitosterol, campesterol, and stigmasterol are the most abundant. Beyond their hypocholesterolemic effect, phytosterols in lentils are known for their anti-inflammatory activity. In this review, the current information on the nutritional composition, bioactive compounds including polyphenols, saponins and phytosterols, and their associated health-promoting effects are discussed.

Effects of hawthorn seed oil on plasma cholesterol and gut microbiota

Background

Hypercholesterolemia and gut microbiota dysbiosis are associated with the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Hawthorn fruits has shown to be cardioprotective and hypocholesterolemic. However, no studies to date have studied the biological activity of hawthorn seed oil (HSO). The present study was to investigate if HSO could favourably reduce plasma cholesterol and modulate gut microbiota in hypercholesterolemia hamsters.

Methods

Golden Syrian hamsters (age, 8 weeks) were randomly divided into five groups (n = 8, each) and fed one of the following five diets, namely a non-cholesterol diet, a high cholesterol diet containing 0.15% cholesterol (HCD); a HCD diet with addition of 4.75% HSO (LHSO), a HCD diet with addition of 9.5% HSO (HHSO), a HCD diet with addition of 0.50% cholestyramine as positive control diet. After 6-week dietary intervention, plasma lipids, inflammatory markers, atherosclerosis plaque, hepatic and fecal lipids were quantified. Microbiota in fresh feces were analysed by sequencing 16S rRNA genes, while RT-PCR and Western blot analyses were employed to quantify the expression of genes involved in cholesterol homeostasis.

Results

HSO at a dose of 9.5% HSO could decrease plasma cholesterol and non-HDL-cholesterol by 15%. Additionally, both HSO experimental groups also suppressed mRNA of 3-Hydroxy-3-Methylglutaryl-CoA Reductase (HMG-CoA-R). Supplementation of HSO at 4.75% could significantly increase the excretion of fecal acidic sterols, accompanied by elevation of short-chain fatty acid levels in feces. The analyses of gut microbiome indicated that HSO supplementation could selectively alter the genera abundance of gut bacteria that were correlated with cholesterol metabolism including unclassified_f__Christensenellaceae, Ruminococcaceae_NK4A214_ group, norank_o_Gastranaerophilales, Faecalibaculum, Peptococcus, norank_f__Clostridiales_vadinBB60_group and Ruminococcus_2.

Conclusions

HSO supplementation was able to decrease plasma cholesterol by favourably modulating gut microbiota composition and gut-derived metabolites associated with cholesterol regulation.

Graphical Abstract

Peony seed oil decreases plasma cholesterol and favorably modulates gut microbiota in hypercholesterolemic hamsters

PURPOSE

Peony (Paeonia spp.) seed oil (PSO) contains a high amount of α-linolenic acid. The effects of PSO on hypercholesterolemia and gut microbiota remains unclear. The present study was to investigate effects of PSO supplementation on cholesterol metabolism and modulation of the gut microbiota.

METHODS

Male Golden Syrian hamsters (n = 40) were randomly divided into five groups (n = 8, each) fed one of the following diets namely low-cholesterol diet (LCD); high cholesterol diet (HCD); HCD with PSO substituting 50% lard (LPSO), PSO substituting 100% lard (HPSO) and HCD with addition of 0.5% cholestyramine (PCD), respectively, for 6 weeks.

RESULTS

PSO supplementation dose-dependently reduced plasma total cholesterol (TC) by 9-14%, non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) by 7-18% and triacylglycerols (TG) by 14-34% (p < 0.05). In addition, feeding PSO diets reduced the formation of plaque lesions by 49-61% and hepatic lipids by 9-19% compared with feeding HCD diet (p < 0.01). PSO also altered relative genus abundance of unclassified_f__Coriobacteriaceae, unclassified_f__Erysipelotrichaceae, Peptococcus, unclassified_f__Ruminococcaceae, norank_o__Mollicutes_RF9 and Christensenellaceae_R-7_group.

CONCLUSIONS

It was concluded that PSO was effective in reducing plasma cholesterol and hepatic lipids and favorably modulating gut microbiota associated with cholesterol metabolism.

An updated review on food-derived bioactive peptides: Focus on the regulatory requirements, safety, and bioavailability

Food-derived bioactive peptides (BAPs) are recently utilized as functional food raw materials owing to their potential health benefits. Although there is a huge amount of scientific research about BAPs' identification, purification, characterization, and physiological functions, and subsequently, many BAPs have been marketed, there is a paucity of review on the regulatory requirements, bioavailability, and safety of BAPs. Thus, this review focuses on the toxic peptides that could arise from their primary proteins throughout protein extraction, protein pretreatment, and BAPs' formulation. Also, the influences of BAPs' length and administration dosage on safety are summarized. Lastly, the challenges and possibilities in BAPs' bioavailability and regulatory requirements in different countries were also presented. Results revealed that the human studies of BAPs are essential for approvals as healthy food and to prevent the consumers from misinformation and false promises. The BAPs that escape the gastrointestinal tract epithelium and move to the stomach are considered good peptides and get circulated into the blood using different pathways. In addition, the hydrophobicity, net charge, molecular size, length, amino acids composition/sequences, and structural characteristics of BAPs are critical for bioavailability, and appropriate food-grade carriers can enhance it. The abovementioned features are also vital to optimize the solubility, water holding capacity, emulsifying ability, and foaming property of BAPs in food products. In the case of safety, the possible allergenic and toxic peptides often exhibit physiological functions and could be produced during the hydrolysis of food proteins. It was also noted that the production of iso-peptides bonds and undesirable Maillard reaction might occur during protein extraction, sample pretreatments, and peptide synthesis.

Polyphenol extract and essential oil of Amomum tsao-ko equally alleviate hypercholesterolemia and modulate gut microbiota

This study explored the effects of polyphenol extract (TKP) and essential oil (TKO) from Amomum tsao-ko Crevost et Lemaire (tsao-ko) on plasma total cholesterol and gut microbiota. Four groups of hamsters (n = 8 each) were fed one of four diets, respectively, namely a high-cholesterol diet (HCD) containing 0.1% cholesterol, a HCD containing 0.5% cholestyramine (PCD), a HCD with daily oral administration of 1000 mg per kg body weight TKP, and a HCD with daily oral administration of 200 mg per kg body weight TKO for 6 weeks. TKP and TKO equally lowered plasma total cholesterol (TC) by 13-18% via increasing the fecal elimination of total acidic sterols by 50-191%. This might be due to up-regulation of liver cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase (CYP7A1) at both transcriptional and translational levels. At a family level, TKP and TKO diets favorably modified the relative abundance of Ruminococcaceae, Erysipelotrichaceae, and Desulfovibrionaceae associated with acidic sterols and CYP7A1. It was therefore concluded that TKP and TKO were equally effective in alleviating hypercholesterolemia in hamsters via the interaction between gut microbiota and bile acid metabolism.

Phytochemical Composition, Anti-Inflammatory and ER Stress-Reducing Potential of Sambucus ebulus L. Fruit Extract

Sambucus ebulus L. (SE) fruits are used for their immunostimulation, hematopoietic and antiviral potential. Recently, we focused on analyzing the mechanism underlying SE fruit aqueous extract's (FAE) immunomodulation and anti-inflammatory activities, with attention to its endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-reducing potential. J774A.1 macrophages were treated with SE FAE alone or in conditions of lipopolysaccharides (LPS) stimulation. Using GC-MS and LC-MS/MS, its phytochemical composition was analyzed. To measure transcription and protein levels, we used qPCR and Western blot, respectively. The prevailing phytochemicals in SE FAE were hydroxycinnamic acids, proanthocyanidins and anthocyanins. The content of some amino acids, organic acids, alcohols, fatty acids and esters were newly reported. Extracts exerted an immunostimulation potential by stimulating IL-6, TNFα, Ccl2, COX2 and iNOS transcription, without inducing ER stress. SE FAE suppressed the LPS-induced transcription of inflammation related genes (IL-1β, IL-6, TNFα, Ccl2, Icam-1, Fabp4, COX2, iNOS, Noxo1, IL-1ra, Sirt-1) and reduced the protein levels of iNOS, peIF2α, ATF6α and CHOP. The effects were comparable to that of salicylic acid. SE suppresses LPS-stimulated inflammatory markers on the transcription and translation levels. Targeting ER stress is possibly another mechanism underlying its anti-inflammatory potential. These findings reveal the potential of SE fruits as a beneficial therapeutic of inflammation and ER stress-related pathological conditions.

Antioxidant Activity and Polyphenols Characterization of Four Monovarietal Grape Pomaces from Salento (Apulia, Italy)

The wine industry annually produces millions of tons of by-products rich in polyphenolic compounds that can be reused as secondary raw material in the food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. The purpose of this work was to describe the presence of nutraceutical compounds and to evaluate the antioxidant activity of pomaces from three Apulian (South Italy, Italy) grape varieties (Negroamaro, Malvasia di Lecce and Primitivo) and to compare them with one of the most cultivated wines in Europe (Cabernet Sauvignon). The main classes of polyphenolic substances were characterized via high performance liquid chromatography/diode array detector/mass spectrometer time of flight (HPLC/DAD/TOF) and the antioxidant activity was evaluated with three different methods. The four investigated grape marcs have shown different polyphenols and antioxidant activities. Primitivo marc showed the higher antioxidant activity due to the excellent level of polyphenols, followed by the Negroamaro cultivar. In addition, marcs from traditional Apulian vines showed higher antioxidant activities than Cabernet Sauvignon because of an elevated level of active polyphenolic substances such as catechin, epicatechin, quercetin and its derivatives.

Rutin and Quercetin Decrease Cholesterol in HepG2 Cells but Not Plasma Cholesterol in Hamsters by Oral Administration

Rutin (R) and quercetin (Q) are two widespread dietary flavonoids. Previous studies regarding the plasma cholesterol-lowering activity of R and Q generated inconsistent results. The present study was therefore carried out to investigate the effects of R and Q on cholesterol metabolism in both HepG2 cells and hypercholesterolemia hamsters. Results from HepG2 cell experiments demonstrate that both R and Q decreased cholesterol at doses of 5 and 10 µM. R and Q up-regulated both the mRNA and protein expression of sterol regulatory element binding protein 2 (SREBP2), low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR), and liver X receptor alpha (LXRα). The immunofluorescence study revealed that R and Q increased the LDLR expression, while only Q improved LDL-C uptake in HepG2 cells. Results from hypercholesterolemia hamsters fed diets containing R (5.5 g/kg diet) and Q (2.5 g/kg diet) for 8 weeks demonstrate that both R and Q had no effect on plasma total cholesterol. In the liver, only Q reduced cholesterol significantly. The discrepancy between the in vitro and in vivo studies was probably due to a poor bioavailability of flavonoids in the intestine. It was therefore concluded that R and Q were effective in reducing cholesterol in HepG2 cells in vitro, whereas in vivo, the oral administration of the two flavonoids had little effect on plasma cholesterol in hamsters.

Diverse conditions contribute to the cholesterol-lowering ability of different Lactobacillus plantarum strains

It has been reported that Lactobacillus can remove cholesterol and thus might play an important role in lowering cholesterol in humans, but the underlying mechanism is still controversial. To confirm whether different strains have different cholesterol-lowering mechanisms, we explored the cholesterol-lowering abilities of different Lactobacillus plantarum strains, and the factors influencing their abilities. We found that all nine strains reduced the cholesterol concentration to some extent, but there were significant differences among them. In MRS broth, L. plantarum AR113 and AR171 showed the greatest cholesterol-lowering abilities of 27.89% and 19.90%, respectively, but AR501 and AR300 only showed reductions of 0.34% and 0.91%, respectively. Upon addition of 0.1% ox bile, the cholesterol-removal capability of most strains increased. L. plantarum AR511 showed the highest cholesterol removal rate, which increased from 5.8% to 37.14%, i.e., by a factor of approximately 6.4, but there was no significant change in the cholesterol removal rate of AR171. These results suggested that the effect of ox bile on the cholesterol-lowering ability was strain-specific. Except for the strains AR171, AR237 and AR495, the cholesterol-removal ability of the remaining six strains was positively correlated with the amount of free bile acid released. The addition of a bile salt hydrolase inhibitor had some effect on the cholesterol-removal ability of the six strains of bacteria other than AR171, AR237 and AR495, but little influence on the latter three. The effect of BSH was strain-specific. Similarly, the effect of pH was also strain-specific. Taken together, these results suggest that different strains of L. plantarum have different cholesterol-lowering capacities and different influencing factors. Therefore, further research is needed to explore the exact mechanism by which different strains lower cholesterol.

Stabilization and Release of Palm Tocotrienol Emulsion Fabricated Using pH-Sensitive Calcium Carbonate

Calcium carbonate (CaCO3) has been utilized as a pH-responsive component in various products. In this present work, palm tocotrienols-rich fraction (TRF) was successfully entrapped in a self-assembled oil-in-water (O/W) emulsion system by using CaCO3 as the stabilizer. The emulsion droplet size, viscosity and tocotrienols entrapment efficiency (EE) were strongly affected by varying the processing (homogenization speed and time) and formulation (CaCO3 and TRF concentrations) parameters. Our findings indicated that the combination of 5000 rpm homogenization speed, 15 min homogenization time, 0.75% CaCO3 concentration and 2% TRF concentration resulted in a high EE of tocotrienols (92.59-99.16%) and small droplet size (18.83 ± 1.36 µm). The resulting emulsion system readily released the entrapped tocotrienols across the pH range tested (pH 1-9); with relatively the highest release observed at pH 3. The current study presents a potential pH-sensitive emulsion system for the entrapment and delivery of palm tocotrienols.

Assessment of exopolysaccharides, bacteriocins and in vitro and in vivo hypocholesterolemic potential of some Egyptian Lactobacillus spp

Lactobacilli probiotics have been suggested to reduce cholesterol with low side effects to host. Bacteriocins and exopolysaccharides (EPSs) production are two meaningful examples of functional applications of lactobacilli in the food industry. Eight Lactobacillus strains were isolated from some Egyptian fermented food and tested for their probiotic properties. Analysis of the monosaccharide composition by thin layer chromatography showed the presence of glucose, galactose and unknown sugar. The main functional groups of EPSs were elucidated by Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy. Their fermentation cultures displayed powerful antioxidant activities extending from 97.5 to 99%, 40-75% for their EPSs and free cells, respectively, and exhibited in vitro cholesterol downgrading from 48 to 82% and 72 to 91% after 48 and 120 h, respectively. Their EPSs showed good anticancer activities against carcinoma cells with low IC₅₀ values for HCT-116, PC-3 and HepG-2 cells. To the best of our knowledge, there have been no previous reports on the potential of Lactobacillus EPSs activity against PC-3. The selected strains, L. plantarum KU985433 and L. rhamnosus KU985436 produced two different bacteriocins as detected by gel permeation chromatography with good antimicrobial activities. In vivo study demonstrated that feeding Westar rats with fermented milk exhibited greater cholesterol, LDL and blood triglyceride reduction for both strains. Whereas, HDL was increased by about 43 and 38%, respectively, and the atherogenic indices decreased.

Vinegars but not acetic acid are effective in reducing plasma cholesterol in hamsters fed a high-cholesterol diet

The present study compares the effect of two types of vinegars, Balsamic vinegar of Modena (BV) and Chinese Shanxi vinegar (SV), with acetic acid on plasma cholesterol using hamsters as a model. Hamsters (n = 40) were divided into five groups (n = 8 each) with two control groups being fed a low-cholesterol diet (LCD) or a high-cholesterol diet containing 0.2% cholesterol (HCD). The three experimental groups were given a HCD diet and gavaged with 8 ml of BV, SV, and acetic acid solution (AC) per kg body weight, respectively. Acetic acid in BV, SV, and AC solutions was adjusted with water to be 20 mg ml-1. The whole experiment lasted for 9 weeks. Plasma total cholesterol (TC) in BV and SV groups but not in the AC group was reduced by 17% and 20%, respectively, compared with that in HCD hamsters. BV and SV significantly reduced cholesterol in the liver and increased the fecal excretion of neutral sterols and bile acids. Real-time PCR analysis demonstrated that BV and SV significantly up-regulated the mRNA of cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase (CYP7A1) in the liver. In conclusion, BV and SV but not AC were effective in reducing plasma TC and non-HDL-C concentrations at least in hypercholesterolemic hamsters.

Effect of Zanthoxylum alkylamides on lipid metabolism and its mechanism in rats fed with a high-fat diet

This research aimed at exploring the effect of Zanthoxylum alkylamides on lipid metabolism and its potential mechanisms using high-fat diet rat model. Treatment with Zanthoxylum alkylamides for 6 weeks, food efficiency and atherogenic index of the low, medium, and high doses of Zanthoxylum alkylamides-treated groups were significantly reduced. Meanwhile, the histopathological structure of the livers showed that hepatic steatosis in the groups treated with Zanthoxylum alkylamides was reduced, particularly the HD group. Moreover, the related genes were studied, such as, liver X receptor (LXR), cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase (CYP7A1), hepatic 3-hydroxyl-2-methylglutaryl CoA (HMG-CoA) reductase, sterol regulatory element-binding protein 2 (SREBP-2), ileal bile acid-binding protein (IBABP), sodium-dependent bile acid transporter (ASBT), and transient receptor potential vanilloid subtype1 (TRPV1). These results demonstrated that Zanthoxylum alkylamides could ameliorate abnormal lipid metabolism in rats fed with a high-fat diet. The underlying mechanism may be the downregulation of the expression levels of cholesterol synthesis and bile acid reabsorption-related genes, reduction of endogenous cholesterol synthesis, and increase in bile acid and neutral sterol excretion. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: High-energy diet is a potential risk of lipid metabolic disorder. Many studies have shown that hyperlipidemia can lead to atherosclerosis and even hemangioma, cerebral thrombosis, coronary heart disease, and other diseases, which seriously threaten human health. Therefore, seeking an effective and safe way to prevent the obesity-related disease is necessary. This research found that Zanthoxylum alkylamide could ameliorate abnormal lipid metabolism in rats fed with a high-fat diet. The underlying mechanism may be the downregulation of the expression levels of cholesterol synthesis and ileal absorption of bile acid genes, reduction of endogenous cholesterol synthesis, and increase in bile acid and neutral sterol excretion. Therefore, Zanthoxylum alkylamide has the potential for preventing or alleviating high-energy intake-related obesity.

Serum Cholesterol-Lowering Activity of β-Sitosterol Laurate Is Attributed to the Reduction of Both Cholesterol Absorption and Bile Acids Reabsorption in Hamsters

The research was performed to delineate how β-sitosterol laurate (β-SLE) consumption influenced serum and hepatic lipids. The results showed that 220 mg/5 mL oil/kg body weight of β-SLE robustly reduced serum total triglyceride and cholesterol levels and the epididymal adipocyte size, and efficiently protected hepatic polyunsaturated fatty acids against lipid peroxidation through superoxide dismutase and glutathione transferase activity enhancement and malondialdehyde level reduction. Based on the changes of fecal cholesterol contents, fecal and hepatic bile acid (BAs) levels, and related protein expression, it was concluded that the mechanisms for lowering serum cholesterol by β-SLE involved (i) the enhanced excretion of fecal cholesterol via down-regulation of intestinal Niemann-Pick C1-like 1 protein; (ii) the increased conversion from cholesterol to primary BAs via up-regulation of cholesterol-7α-hydroxylase and sterol 27-hydroxylase, which was induced by the reduced BAs reabsorption through up-regulating ileal apical sodium-dependent bile acid transporter and ileal bile acid-binding protein.

Use of Castor Bean Meal, Biodiesel Industry Coproduct, in A Lamb Production System Using Creep-Feeding in Brazil

Simple Summary

Economically, feed costs are the most expensive variable in the ruminant industry. Therefore, finding an alternative feed resource to decrease these costs is necessary. Castor bean is an oilseed used in the growing biodiesel industry from which the castor bean meal is obtained; however, the ricin content of the castor bean meal may cause animal poisoning. Thus, it is necessary to detoxify the castor bean meal before using it in animal feed. A creep-feeding method is a supplement to the actual alimentation of young animals and as a complement; its economic value must be lower. This study aimed to evaluate the replacement of soybean meal by detoxified castor bean meal on intake, digestibility, body weight gain, and creep-feeding method effectiveness using castor bean meal in lambs. It was found that replacing soybean meal by detoxified castor bean meal does not compromise the development of animals, while the use of creep feeding positively affects their development. The soybean meal can be replaced by detoxified castor bean meal in a creep-feeding method for lambs.

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the replacement of soybean meal by detoxified castor bean meal on the intake and digestibility of nutrients, body weight gain, carcass yield, physiological and urinary parameters, and creep-feeding method effectiveness. For this trial, 43 male lambs were used, Dorper × Santa Inês, with an average initial body weight of 7.95 kg, 15 days old. Lambs were distributed in a randomized block design. Five experimental diets were provided: Without supplementation, with supplementation but without the use of castor bean meal, and with gradual levels of replacement of soybean meal by detoxified castor bean meal (33%, 67%, and 100%). Higher values of DMI and nutrient digestibility (p < 0.05) were observed for animals that received supplements. The milk intake did not differ among the diets. The DMD showed a linear effect, while NDFD had a quadratic effect, depending on castor bean meal inclusion. The carcass yield did not differ between experimental diets. There was no significant effect on the urinary volume and metabolites investigated. In conclusion, the replacement of soybean meal by detoxified castor bean meal does not compromise animals’ development. Besides, the creep-feeding method positively affects lamb development, with higher body weight gain for supplemented animals.

Ursolic acid alleviates hypercholesterolemia and modulates the gut microbiota in hamsters

Ursolic acid (UA) is a triterpenoid acid widely abundant in fruits and vegetables such as apple, blueberry and cranberry. The present study was carried out to investigate the effect of UA supplementation in diet on blood cholesterol, intestinal cholesterol absorption and gut microbiota in hypercholesterolemic hamsters. A total of thirty-two hamsters were randomly assigned to four groups and given a non-cholesterol diet (NCD), a high-cholesterol diet containing 0.1% cholesterol (HCD), an HCD diet containing 0.2% UA (UAL), or an HCD diet containing 0.4% UA (UAH) for 6 weeks. Results showed that UA supplementation reduced plasma cholesterol by 15-16% and inhibited intestinal cholesterol absorption by 2.6-9.2%. The in vitro micellar cholesterol solubility experiment clearly demonstrated that UA could displace 40% cholesterol from micelles. In addition, UA decreased the ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes, whereas it enhanced the growth of short chain fatty acid (SCFA)-producing bacteria in the intestine. In conclusion, UA possessed a cholesterol-lowering activity and could favorably modulate the gut microbiota.

The cholesterol-lowering activity of miracle fruit (Synsepalum dulcificum)

Miracle fruit (Synsepalum dulcificum) is famous for its uniqueness of modifying sour taste to sweetness. However, its cholesterol-lowering activity has not been reported. This study investigated the effect of S. dulcificum on the compositional changes of plasma lipids in hamsters fed a high-cholesterol control diet. Six groups of hamsters were fed either a control diet or one of the five experimental diets containing 2% ethanol extract of leaves, 2% water extract of leaves, 2% ethanolic extract of seeds (ES), 2% water extract of seeds, or 2% dry pulp. Results showed that ES decreased the plasma total cholesterol (TC). Two triterpenoids (lupeol acetate and β-amyrin acetate) were isolated from the ES and they added to a diet could decrease TC by 15%-20% in hamsters. It was concluded that ES showed potent TC-lowering activity and triterpenoid was one of the active components of ES. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: In recent years, people are more interested in phytochemicals from functional foods treated for hyperlipidemia because they possessed fewer side effects than the synthetic drugs. The triterpenoids isolated from the miracle fruit may be promising candidates for the development of cholesterol-lowering agent, especially for patients whose blood cholesterol level and body weight are high. Meanwhile, the miracle fruit have a good potential as cholesterol-lowering functional food or a natural source of cholesterol-lowering agent.

Wild Melon Seed Oil Reduces Plasma Cholesterol and Modulates Gut Microbiota in Hypercholesterolemic Hamsters

Wild melon (Cucumis melo var. agrestis) seed oil (CO) contains 71.3% polyunsaturated fatty acids. The present study investigated the effects of CO on blood cholesterol and gut microbiota. Hamsters (n = 32) were randomly divided into four groups and given one of four diets, namely noncholesterol diet (NCD), high-cholesterol diet containing 0.1% cholesterol (HCD), HCD containing 4.75% CO (COL), and HCD containing 9.5% CO (COH) for 6 weeks. CO supplementation at 9.5% in the diet reduced plasma cholesterol by 24% and enhanced the excretion of fecal bile acids by 150%. CO supplementation upregulated the gene expression of hepatic cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase (CYP7A1). In addition, supplementation of CO in the diet remarkably increased the production of fecal short-chain fatty acids and favorably altered the relative abundances of Eubacteriaceae, Clostridiales_vadinBB60_group, Ruminococcaceae, Streptococcaceae, and Desulfovibrionaceae at a family level. It was concluded that CO could reduce plasma cholesterol via promoting the excretion of fecal acidic sterols and modulating gut microbiota.

Beneficial Effects of a Low-dose of Conjugated Linoleic Acid on Body Weight Gain and other Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Cafeteria Diet-fed Rats

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is a dietary supplement that has been shown to improve obesity. However, some authors have associated high doses of CLA supplementation with liver impairment and insulin resistance. The aim of this study was to assess whether the consumption of low doses of CLA maintained the beneficial effects on the main metabolic disturbances associated with metabolic syndrome (MetS) but prevented the occurrence of non-desirable outcomes associated with its consumption. Male Wistar rats, fed standard or cafeteria (CAF) diet for 12 weeks, were supplemented with three different low doses of CLA in the last three weeks. Both biochemical and H¹ NMR-based metabolomics profiles were analysed in serum and liver. The consumption of 100 mg/kg CLA, but not doses of 200 and 300 mg/kg, ameliorated the increase in body weight gain as well as the serum concentrations of glucose, insulin, cholesterol, triglyceride, diglyceride, and total phospholipid induced by a CAF diet. In turn, CLA reverted the increase in lactate, alanine, and glucose concentrations in the liver of these animals, but enhanced hepatic cholesterol accumulation without any detrimental effect on liver function. In conclusion, a low dose of CLA corrected the adverse effects associated with MetS without compromising other metabolic parameters.

Conjugated linoleic acid regulates lipid metabolism through the expression of selected hepatic genes in laying hens

The effect of dietary conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) supplementation on lipid metabolism in laying hens was investigated. A total of 360 eighteen-wk-old Hy-Line Brown layers were randomly divided into 4 groups that consisted of 6 replicates with 15 birds each. Birds were fed basal diets with 0, 1%, 2%, and 4% CLA addition. The experiment lasted for 56 D after a 7-D adaptation period. Results showed that dietary CLA addition linearly reduced (P < 0.05) abdominal fat percentage but linearly increased (P < 0.05) relative liver weight of layers on day 56. A linear reduction (P < 0.05) in serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) level and a linear elevation (P < 0.05) in the ratio of serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level to LDL-C level of layers on both days 28 and 56 were observed with dietary CLA addition, which also linearly decreased (P < 0.05) cholesterol content in the liver of layers on day 56 as well as in eggs on both days 28 and 56. Besides, there were linear reductions (P < 0.05) in the gene expression and contents of hepatic 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMGR) and cholesterol 7 alpha hydroxylase 1 (CYP7A1), along with a linear increase (P < 0.05) in the gene expression and content of hepatic low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) in layers responded to dietary CLA addition. In conclusion, dietary CLA supplementation decreased the accumulation of lipids including abdominal fat and cholesterol in the liver and egg of laying hens, probably by upregulating hepatic LDLR expression and downregulating hepatic HMGR and CYP7A1 expression.

Pinto Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) Lower Non-HDL Cholesterol in Hamsters Fed a Diet Rich in Saturated Fat and Act on Genes Involved in Cholesterol Homeostasis

BACKGROUND

Pinto beans contain multiple active agents such as polyphenols, flavonoids, and saponins, and have been shown to lower cholesterol, but the mechanisms involved in this effect have not been explored.

OBJECTIVE

This study was to investigate the changes in cholesterol metabolism in response to whole pinto beans (wPB) and their hulls (hPB) supplemented into a diet rich in saturated fat and the molecular mechanisms potentially responsible for these effects in hamsters.

METHODS

Forty-four 9-wk-old male Golden Syrian hamsters were randomly assigned to 4 diet groups (n = 11), including a 5% (wt:wt) fat diet [normal-fat diet (NF)], a 15% (wt:wt) fat diet [diet rich in saturated fat (HSF), saturated fatty acids accounted for 70% of total fatty acids], or HSF supplemented with 5% (wt:wt) wPB or 0.5% (wt:wt) hPB for 4 wk. Plasma, liver, intestinal, and fecal samples were collected to evaluate multiple cholesterol markers and gene targets.

RESULTS

The plasma non-high-density lipoprotein (non-HDL) concentration was significantly reduced in the wPB- and hPB-supplemented groups by 31.9 ± 3.5% and 53.6 ± 3.2%, respectively, compared with the HSF group (P < 0.01), to concentrations comparable with the NF group. The wPB-supplemented hamsters had significantly lower liver cholesterol (45.1%, P < 0.001) and higher fecal cholesterol concentrations (94.8%, P = 0.001) than those fed the HSF. The expressions of hepatic 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl CoA reductase (Hmgcr) and small intestinal acyl-coenzyme A: cholesterol acyltransferase 2 (Acat2) were significantly decreased in animals administered wPB (by 89.1% and 63.8%, respectively) and hPB (by 72.9% and 47.7%, respectively) compared with their HSF-fed counterparts (P < 0.05). The wPB normalized the expression of Acat2 to the level of the NF group.

CONCLUSION

Pinto beans remediated high cholesterol induced by HSF in male hamsters by decreasing hepatic cholesterol synthesis and intestinal cholesterol absorption, effects which were partially exerted by the hulls.

Screening for Cholesterol-Lowering Probiotics from Lactic Acid Bacteria Isolated from Corn Silage Based on Three Hypothesized Pathways

A total of 85 strains of lactic acid bacteria were isolated from corn silage in this study and analyzed in vitro for their cholesterol removal, NPC1L1 protein down-regulation and bile salt deconjugation ability, respectively. Nineteen strains were selected for further analysis for their probiotic potential. Finally, 3 strains showing better probiotic potential were evaluated for their cholesterol-lowering activity in hamsters. The strains showing the greater cholesterol removal and NPC1L1 protein down-regulation activity had no significant effects on serum and hepatic cholesterol levels in hamsters (p > 0.05). However, Lactobacillus plantarum CAAS 18008 (1 × 10⁹ CFU/d) showing the greater bile salt deconjugation ability significantly reduced serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, total cholesterol, and hepatic total cholesterol levels by 28.8%, 21.7%, and 30.9%, respectively (p < 0.05). The cholesterol-lowering mechanism was attributed to its bile salt hydrolase activity, which enhanced daily fecal bile acid excretion levels and thereby accelerated new bile acid synthesis from cholesterol in liver. This study demonstrated that the strains showing greater cholesterol removal and NPC1L1 protein down-regulation activity in vitro hardly reveal cholesterol-lowering activity in vivo, whereas the strains showing greater bile salt deconjugation ability in vitro has large potential to decrease serum cholesterol levels in vivo.

Sea buckthorn seed oil reduces blood cholesterol and modulates gut microbiota

Sea buckthorn seed oil favorably decreases plasma cholesterol.

Isoflavones enhance pharmacokinetic exposure of active lovastatin acid via the upregulation of carboxylesterase in high-fat diet mice after oral administration of Xuezhikang capsules

Xuezhikang capsule (XZK) is a traditional Chinese medicine that contains lovastatin (Lv) for hyperlipidemia treatment, although it has fewer side effects than Lv. However, the pharmacokinetic mechanisms contributing to its distinct efficacy and low side effects are unclear. Mice were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) for 6 weeks to induce hyperlipidemia. We first conducted the pharmacokinetic studies in HFD mice following oral administration of Lv (10 mg/kg, i.g.) and found that HFD remarkably decreased the active form of Lv (the lovastatin acid, LvA) exposure in the circulation system, especially in the targeting organ liver, with a declined conversion from Lv to LvA, whereas the Lv (responsible for myotoxicity) exposure in muscle markedly increased. Then we compared the pharmacokinetic profiles of Lv in HFD mice after the oral administration of XZK (1200 mg/kg, i.g.) or an equivalent dose of Lv (10 mg/kg, i.g.). A higher exposure of LvA and lower exposure of Lv were observed after XZK administration, suggesting a pharmacokinetic interaction of some ingredients in XZK. Further studies revealed that HFD promoted the inflammation and inhibited carboxylesterase (CES) activities in the intestine and the liver, thus contributing to the lower transformation of Lv into LvA. In contrast, XZK inhibited the inflammation and upregulated CES in the intestine and the liver. Finally, we evaluated the effects of monacolins and phytosterols, the fractional extracts of isoflavones, on inflammatory LS174T or HepG2 cells, which showed that isoflavones inhibited inflammation, upregulated CES, and markedly enhanced the conversion of Lv into LvA. For the first time, we provide evidence that isoflavones and Lv in XZK act in concert to enhance the efficacy and reduce the side effects of Lv.

Hypolipidemic, Antioxidant, and Antiapoptotic Effects of Polysaccharides Extracted from Reishi Mushroom, Ganoderma lucidum (Leysser: Fr) Karst, in Mice Fed a High-Fat Diet

The mechanisms underlying the effect of Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi mushroom) polysaccharides (GLP) on obesity are not clear. In this study, GLP were found to attenuate the oleic acid-induced cell viability loss and apoptosis dose dependently in splenic lymphocytes in vitro. The effects of GLP on lipid metabolism, oxidative stress, and apoptosis in mice fed a high-fat diet (HD) were determined. GLP administration (200 and 400 mg/kg bw) significantly lowered the body-weight increases; liver, heart, and white adipose tissues indexes; serum lipid accumulation; and serum and small intestine oxidative stress in mice fed a HD. Moreover, GLP inhibited HD-induced apoptosis by decreasing the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and suppressing caspase-3 activation in splenic lymphocytes. These findings indicate that GLP can exert hypolipidemic, antioxidant, and antiapoptotic effects in HD-induced obese mice.

Dietary supplementation of defatted kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) seed meal and its phenolics-saponins rich extract effectively attenuates diet-induced hypercholesterolemia in rats

Kenaf is one of the important commercial fiber crops worldwide and defatted kenaf seed meal (DKSM) is a secondary by-product from the kenaf industry. Thus, efforts to turn this low-cost agricultural waste into value-added functional food ingredients will definitely bring advantageous impacts to the community health, environment and economy. The present study was aimed to investigate the cardioprotective properties of DKSM and its phenolics-saponins rich extract (PSRE) in diet-induced hypercholesterolemic rat model. Hypercholesterolemia was induced in Sprague-Dawley rats via atherogenic diet feeding and dietary interventions were conducted by incorporating DKSM (15% and 30%) and equivalent levels of PSRE (2.3% and 4.6%, respectively, equivalent to the total content of phenolics and saponins in DKSM groups) into the atherogenic diets. After 10 weeks of DKSM and PSRE supplementation, the hepatosomatic index, hepatosteatosis, serum lipid profile, Castelli risk indexes as well as hepatic and renal functions of hypercholesterolemic rats were significantly improved (p < 0.05). Besides, the levels of hepatic Hmgcr and serum Pcsk9 were lowered, along with transcriptional upregulations of hepatic Cyp7a1, Abca1, Lcat, ApoA2 and ApoE (p < 0.05). The gene expression of hepatic Ldlr was marginally enhanced by DKSM supplementation (p > 0.05), but superiorly upregulated by PSRE (p < 0.05). The combined results showed that hypercholesterolemia and the atherogenic risk in rats were effectively attenuated by DKSM and PSRE supplementation, possibly via modulations of multiple vital processes in hepatic cholesterol metabolism. Furthermore, phenolics and saponins may be the bioactives conferring DKSM and PSRE with their anti-hypercholesterolemic properties. In conclusion, DKSM and PSRE are prospective cardioprotective functional food ingredients for hypercholesterolemic individuals.

Enantioselective Halo-oxy- and Halo-azacyclizations Induced by Chiral Amidophosphate Catalysts and Halo-Lewis Acids

Catalytic enantioselective halocyclization of 2-alkenylphenols and enamides have been achieved through the use of chiral amidophosphate catalysts and halo-Lewis acids. Density functional theory calculations suggested that the Lewis basicity of the catalyst played an important role in the reactivity and enantioselectivity. The resulting chiral halogenated chromans can be transformed to α-Tocopherol, α-Tocotrienol, Daedalin A and Englitazone in short steps. Furthermore, a halogenated product with an unsaturated side chain may provide polycyclic adducts under radical cyclization conditions.

Wild Lonicera caerulea berry polyphenol extract reduces cholesterol accumulation and enhances antioxidant capacity in vitro and in vivo

The hypocholesterolemic effect of Lonicera caerulea berry extract rich in polyphenols (LCBP) on high cholesterol-induced hypercholesterolemia and lipoprotein metabolite changes was examined in Caco-2 cells and rats. Cyanidin-3-glucoside, catechin, and chlorogenic acid are the major phenolic components of LCBP. The cholesterol-reducing effect and antioxidant capacity of these components were compared in Caco-2 cells. LCBP (80 μg/mL) and cyanidin-3-glucoside, catechin, and chlorogenic acid (50 μM) were found to be effective (p < 0.05). Rats were fed a high cholesterol diet (HCD) with or without LCBP supplementation (75, 150, and 300 mg/kg body weight intragastrically once daily) for 12 weeks. Compared with the HCD control group, LCBP supplementation at 150 and 300 mg/kg decreased the levels of TC, TG, and LDL-C, but increased that of HDL-C. LCBP treatment promoted greater neutral and acidic sterol excretion (p < 0.05) and improved the antioxidant capacity of the colon tissue, colon contents, and blood. Moreover, trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) levels were decreased in serum (p < 0.05). NPC1L1, ACAT2, and MTP mRNA and protein expression were reduced and ABCG5/8 expression was increased (p < 0.05) after LCBP treatment. Our results suggest that LCBP could be used as a functional food for the prevention and treatment of diseases related to excessive cholesterol accumulation.

Egg-Yolk Sphingomyelin and Phosphatidylcholine Attenuate Cholesterol Absorption in Caco-2 Cells

Phospholipids have been shown to modulate intestinal cholesterol absorption in cells and animals, a process that is regulated by several transporter proteins. Of these proteins, Niemann-Pick C1-Like 1 (NPC1L1) is a major contributor to this process. The mechanism by which phospholipids modulate cholesterol absorption remains unknown. Here, we evaluate the effects of egg-yolk phospholipids on cholesterol absorption and transport in human colon carcinoma cell line (Caco-2 cells) and on the expression of NPC1L1 and others proteins associated with cholesterol absorption (ABCG5, ABCG8, ABCA1, ACAT2, MTP, CAV-1, ANX-2). The roles of SREBP-1 and SREBP-2 in this process were also investigated. The results show that egg-yolk sphingomyelin (CerPCho) and phosphatidylcholine (PtdCho) inhibit cholesterol transport in the Caco-2 monolayer in a dose-dependent manner. These might be due to the decrease of the cholesterol solubility in micelles as well as to the increases in the micellar sizes and the bile acid-binding capacity. Furthermore, the treatments with egg-yolk CerPCho or PtdCho at 1.2 mmol/L reduced the expression levels of NPC1L1 protein to 21 or 22%, respectively, and its mRNA to 9 or 31% of that in the control group (p < 0.05). Moreover, there was a general inhibitory effect of egg-yolk PtdCho and CerPCho on the mRNA levels of SREBP-1, and SREBP-2. These results suggest that the inhibitory effect of egg-yolk CerPCho and PtdCho on cholesterol transport might be due to their interference with the physicochemical properties of micelles and their regulations on the expression of the NPC1L1 gene.

Effects of dietary level of tannic acid and protein on internal organ weights and biochemical blood parameters of rats

Tannic acid (TA) is a polyphenolic compound with a health-promoting potential for humans. It is hypothesised that TA effects on the relative weight of internal organs and biochemical blood indices are modified by dietary protein level in rats. The study involved 72 rats divided into 12 groups fed diets with 10 or 18% of crude protein (CP) and supplemented with 0, 0.25, 0.5, 1, 1.5 or 2% of TA. After 3 weeks of feeding, the relative weight of the caecum was greater in rats fed TA diets, while feeding diets with 10% of CP increased the relative weight of the stomach, small intestine and caecum, but decreased that of kidneys and spleen. Albumin concentration was higher in rats fed 0.25% and 0.5% TA diets than in rats given the 2% TA diets. The 2% TA diets reduced creatine kinase (CK) activity compared to non-supplemented diets and those with 0.5, 1 and 1.5% of TA. Rats fed the 10% CP diets had a higher activity of alkaline phosphatase, amylase, and γ-glutamyltransferase as well as the concentration of iron and cholesterol, but lower that of urea and uric acid. The interaction affected only cholinesterase activity. In conclusion, TA induced caecal hypertrophy and could act as a cardioprotective agent, as demonstrated by reduced CK activity, but these effects were not modified by dietary protein level.

Effects of honey fromMimosa quadrivalvisL. (malícia) produced by theMelipona subnitidaD. (jandaíra) stingless bee on dyslipidaemic rats

The supplementation with malícia honey alters the lipid metabolism, antioxidant status and intestinal health parameters of rats with diet-induced dyslipidaemia.

Cranberry anthocyanin as an herbal medicine lowers plasma cholesterol by increasing excretion of fecal sterols

BACKGROUND

Interest in using herbal medicines to treat the hypercholesterolemia is increasing. Cranberry extract could decrease plasma cholesterol, however, the active ingredients and the underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown.

HYPOTHESIS

The present study was to test the hypothesis that cranberry anthocyanins (CrA) were at least one of the active ingredients responsible for the cholesterol-lowering activity of cranberry fruits via a mechanism of increasing fecal sterol excretion.

METHODS

Forty-four hamsters were randomly divided into five groups and fed one of the five diets, namely a non-cholesterol control diet (NCD), a high-cholesterol control diet (HCD), a HCD diet supplemented with a low dose of 1% CrA (CL), a HCD diet supplemented with a high dose of 2% CrA (CH), and a HCD diet supplemented with 0.5% cholestyramine as a positive control drug (P-CTL), respectively, for six weeks. Plasma lipoprotein cholesterol was quantified using the enzymatic kits, while the gene expressions of transporters, enzymes and receptors involved in cholesterol absorption and metabolism were quantified using the quantitative RT-PCR. Fecal sterols were quantified using gas chromatography (GC).

RESULTS

Plasma total cholesterol and aorta atherosclerotic plaque decreased dose-dependently with the increasing amounts of CrA added into diets. This was accompanied by a dose-dependent increase in excretion of both neutral and acidic sterols. CrA had no effect on the mRNA levels of intestinal Niemann-Pick C1 like 1 protein (NPC1L1), acyl CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase2 (ACAT2), microsomal triacylglycerol transport protein (MTP), and ATP binding cassette transporter 5 (ABCG5) as well as hepatic cholesterol-7α-hydroxylase (CYP7A1), 3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl reductase (HMG-CoA-R), sterol regulatory element binding protein 2 (SREBP2), LDL receptor (LDL-R), and Liver X receptor alpha (LXRα).

CONCLUSION

CrA as an herbal medicine could favorably modify the lipoprotein profile in hamsters fed a high cholesterol diet by enhancing excretion of fecal neutral and acidic sterols, most likely not mediated by interaction with genes of transporters, enzymes and proteins involved in cholesterol absorption and metabolism.

Structure-Specific Effects of Short-Chain Fatty Acids on Plasma Cholesterol Concentration in Male Syrian Hamsters

Previous studies have shown that short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are capable of decreasing plasma cholesterol. However, the relative plasma-cholesterol-lowering activity of individual SCFAs and the underlying mechanisms by which SCFAs decrease plasma cholesterol remain largely unknown. The present study was done to compare the plasma-cholesterol-lowering potencies of four common SCFAs with 2-5 carbons and to investigate their interactions with gene expressions of key regulatory factors involved in cholesterol metabolism. For 6 weeks, five groups of male Golden hamsters were fed either a control high-cholesterol diet (HCD) or one of the four experimental HCDs containing 0.5 mol of acetate (Ac), propionate (Pr), butyrate (Bu), or valerate (Va) per kilogram of the diet. The results showed that Ac, Pr, and Bu significantly reduced plasma total cholesterol (TC) by 24, 18, and 17% (P < 0.05), respectively. All four SCFAs could decrease non-HDL cholesterol (non-HDL-C) and the non-HDL-C/HDL-C ratio. The addition of Ac, Pr, or Bu into the diet significantly promoted fecal excretion of bile acids by 121, 113, or 120% (P < 0.05), respectively, and upregulated the gene expressions of sterol-regulatory-element-binding protein 2 (SREBP2), low-density-lipoprotein receptor (LDLR), and cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase (CYP7A1) in the liver. It was concluded that SCFAs with 2-4 carbons (Ac, Pr, and Bu) are more hypocholesterolemic than Va, which has 5 carbons, via enhancing fecal excretion of bile acids and promoting the hepatic uptake of cholesterol from the blood.

Effects of Environmental Stresses and in Vitro Digestion on the Release of Tocotrienols Encapsulated Within Chitosan-Alginate Microcapsules

Considering the health benefits of tocotrienols, continuous works have been done on the encapsulation and delivery of these compounds. In this study, we encapsulated tocotrienols in chitosan-alginate microcapsules and evaluated their release profile. Generally, these tocotrienols microcapsules (TM) displayed high thermal stability. When subjected to pH adjustments (pH 1-9), we observed that the release of tocotrienols was the highest (33.78 ± 0.18%) under basic conditions. The TM were also unstable against the effect of ionic strength, with a high release (70.73 ± 0.04%) of tocotrienols even at a low sodium chloride concentration (50 mM). As for the individual isomers, δ-tocotrienol was the most sensitive to pH and ionic strength. In contrast, β-/γ-tocotrienols were the most ionic-stable isomers but more responsive toward thermal treatment. Simulated gastrointestinal model showed that the chitosan-alginate-based TM could be used to retain tocotrienols in the gastric and subsequently release them in the intestines for possible absorption.

Hempseed Peptides Exert Hypocholesterolemic Effects with a Statin-Like Mechanism

This study had the objective of preparing a hempseed protein hydrolysate and investigating its hypocholesterolemic properties. The hydrolysate was prepared treating a total protein extract with pepsin. Nano HPLC-ESI-MS/MS analysis permitted identifying in total 90 peptides belonging to 33 proteins. In the range 0.1-1.0 mg/mL, it inhibited the catalytic activity of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMGCoAR) in a dose-dependent manner. HepG2 cells were treated with 0.25, 0.5, and 1.0 mg/mL of the hydrolysate. Immunoblotting detection showed increments in the protein levels of regulatory element binding proteins 2 (SREBP2), low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR), and HMGCoAR. However, the parallel activation of the phospho-5'-adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) pathway, produced an inactivation of HMGCoAR by phosphorylation. The functional ability of HepG2 cells to uptake extracellular LDL was raised by 50.5 ± 2.7%, 221.5 ± 1.6%, and 109 ± 3.5%, respectively, versus the control at 0.25, 0.5, and 1.0 mg/mL concentrations. Finally, also a raise of the protein level of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexintype 9 was observed. All of these data suggest that the mechanism of action has some similarity with that of statins.

Efficacy of functional foods mixture in improving hypercholesterolemia, inflammatory and endothelial dysfunction biomarkers-induced by high cholesterol diet

Background

Hypercholesterolemia associated with cardiovascular diseases is a global health issue that could be alleviated by functional foods. This study aimed to explore the effects of a high-cholesterol diet on lipid profile, cardiac, inflammatory, and endothelial dysfunction biomarkers, and the possible improvement by functional foods mixture.

Methods

Male albino rats weighing 100–150 g were randomly divided into four equal groups: 1st control, giving a normal diet; the 2nd received high-cholesterol diet for 8 weeks, the 3rd received the high-cholesterol diet + functional foods mixture, and the 4th administered high-cholesterol diet +atorvastatin (20 mg) orally.

Results

The results showed a significant increase in lipid profile and cardiac biomarkers levels (lactate dehydrogenase, creatine kinase and homocystein), also inflammatory markers, as, tumor necrotic factor alpha and chronic reactive proteins were elevated, moreover, vascular adhesion molecule-1 and nitric oxide synthase were disturbed in high-cholesterol diet compared with normal group. While administration of atorvastatin and functional foods mixture ameliorated these alterations.

Conclusions

Administration of functional foods mixture and atorvastatin were effective in treating hypercholesterolemia, reduce the risk of inflammation and cardiovascular biomarkers with a high safety margin. These efficiencies may be due to its active ingredient that improve the imbalance in the measured biomarkers.