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Ergosterol possesses a variety of physiological activities, however, its application is limited due to its poor water solubility and photosensitivity. In this study, by using the ultrasonic-assisted heating method, recombinant human H-ferritin (rHuHF)–ergosterol nanocomposites (FEs) were designed, and after the characterization, the light stability, serum stability, sustained release character, and cholesterol-lowering property in vitro were analyzed. The results showed that FEs maintained a spherical morphology with the same particle size as rHuHF. About 17 ergosterol molecules were successfully encapsulated in one ferritin molecule with an encapsulation rate of (27.28 ± 0.29)% and a drug loading of (1.63 ± 0.02)%. The light stability of FEs was increased compared with free ergosterol molecules. The FEs also exhibited good serum stability. The results of simulated gastrointestinal digestion indicated that the rHuHF cage was able to prolong the release of ergosterols. FEs digesta can reduce the solubility of cholesterol in micelles. Additionally, molecular docking displayed that ergosterol can competitively inhibit cholesterol binding to human Niemann-Pick C1-Like 1 (NPC1L1), which might play an important role in preventing the delivery of cholesterol to the membrane for accumulation. This work offers an approach to encapsulate and deliver ergosterol depending on the advantage of ferritin nanocage, which has the potential to be applied in food industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

旨在为亚麻籽蛋白的深加工利用提供参考，以低温压榨亚麻籽饼为原料，采用碱溶酸沉法制备亚麻籽蛋白，再采用酶解法制备亚麻籽蛋白酶解肽。采用超滤分离降胆固醇活性最高的亚麻籽蛋白酶解肽，并以其为原料进行动物实验探究其降胆固醇作用。结果表明：在酶解时间为4 h时，亚麻籽蛋白酶解肽的胆固醇胶束溶解度抑制率最高，为47.57%；分子质量不大于3 kDa的超滤组分的胆固醇胶束溶解度抑制率最高，为70.96%；与高胆固醇饮食组相比，亚麻籽蛋白酶解肽不大于3 kDa的超滤组分能够增加小鼠的摄食量和体质量，降低血清总胆固醇（TC）、甘油三酯（TG）、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇（LDL-C）水平，提高血清高密度脂蛋白胆固醇（HDL-C）水平，降低肝脏指数和肝脏中TC、TG水平，改善肝脏脂肪变性程度，增加粪便总胆汁酸（TBA）的排泄量，并且可以通过降低丙二醛（MDA）水平，提高超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）活力来减轻高胆固醇饮食导致的氧化应激反应。综上，亚麻籽蛋白酶解肽不大于3 kDa的超滤组分具有一定的降胆固醇作用，有望成为新型的降胆固醇功能性成分。To provide a reference for the deep processing and utilization of flaxseed protein, the flaxseed protein was prepared by alkali-soluble and acid-precipitation method from low-temperature pressed flaxseed cake, and then the flaxseed peptides were prepared by enzymatic hydrolysis. Ultrafiltration membranes were used to isolate flaxseed peptides with the highest cholesterol-lowering activity in vitro, and animal experiments were conducted to explore its cholesterol-lowering effects. The results showed that when the enzymatic hydrolysis time was 4 h, the cholesterol micelle solubility inhibition rate of flaxseed peptide was the highest (47.57%), and the cholesterol micelle solubility inhibition rate of the ultrafiltration fraction with a molecular weight of no more than 3 kDa was the highest (70.96%). Compared with the high-cholesterol diet group, the ultrafiltration fraction(≤3 kDa ) could increase the food intake and body weight of mice, reduce the serum total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels, increase the serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) level, reduce liver index and TC and TG levels in the liver, improve the degree of hepatic steatosis, increase fecal total bile acid (TBA) excretion, and reduce the oxidative stress caused by high-cholesterol diet by reducing malondialdehyde (MDA) level and increasing superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. In conclusion, the ultrafiltration fraction (≤3 kDa )of flaxseed peptides has a certain cholesterol-lowering effect, and is expected to become a new cholesterol-lowering functional component.

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Drought has become more frequent due to climate change and its effects on the agricultural sector can be devastating. This increases the need for drought tolerant crops such as the Bambara groundnut (BGN) to be farmed in Malaysia. The development of BGN to a product suitable for consumers in this region has not been studied. Therefore, this research aimed to determine consumer acceptability of a nutritive BGN powdered drink mix using the Just-About-Right (JAR) method. BGN flour was produced by mixing soy powder with 0% BGN powder (0B100S), 10% BGN powder (10B90S), 20% BGN powder (20B80S) and 30% BGN powder (30B70S), respectively. The physicochemical properties of the powdered drink mix and its microbiological changes upon storage for six months were then determined. In addition, in-vivo assessment of the cholesterol-lowering effect of this product was conducted. Sample 10B90S was the most preferred sample among the sensory panellists (overall acceptability = 72%). Sample 10B90S remained stable after six months of ambient storage. Rats fed with sample 30B70S showed the most improvement in blood cholesterol levels. In conclusion, nutritive BGN powdered drink mix exhibited good physicochemical properties and could be useful for food applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phytosterols have been shown to be effective in reducing blood cholesterol by suppressing intestinal cholesterol absorption in both humans and animals. In present study, the inhibition of cholesterol absorption in Caco-2 cells by ergosterol, ergosterol acetate, β-sitosterol, stigmasterol, campesterol and stellasterol were systematically assessed. Results showed that the phytosterols produced cholesterol-lowering effect in Caco-2 cells. This effect was largely mediated via reducing the biosynthesis of cholesterol (HMGCS1); meditating the key proteins in cholesterol transportation and metabolism (NPC1L1, ABCG5/ABCG8); interrupting the conversion of cholesterol to cholesterol esters (ACAT2). Results indicated that their cholesterol-lowering activity may be correlated with the functional group (hydroxyl or ester) on C-3 position (ergosterol stellasterol). Further researches are needed to confirm the cholesterol-lowering effects of phytosterols with functional group (methyl or ethyl) on C-24 and the functional groups on C-22 position.

Copyright of Shipin Kexue/ Food Science is the property of Food Science Editorial Department and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Hypercholesterolemia plays a critical role in the development of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases. Many works have been reported that gut microbiota could affect hypercholesterolemia through cholesterol metabolism. However, the role of gut microbiota on cholesterol transportation remains unclear. In this study, 8-week-old C57BL/6J mice were fed with high-cholesterol diet to build the hypercholesterolemic mice. Then, the hypercholesterolemic mice got the oral administration of Enterococcus faecalis ATCC19433 at a dose of 109 CFU/mL/day or PBS with high-cholesterol diet for 4 weeks. Serum was collected to detect the concentration of total cholesterol (TC). Meanwhile, pathology, histology, real-time polymerase chain reaction, Western blot, and immunofluorescence were used to evaluate the expression of ABCG5 and ABCG8 in the liver and small intestine. We also analyzed the composition of gut microbiota through high-throughput sequencing method. Oral administration of E. faecalis ATCC19433 significantly decreased the concentration of serum cholesterol in hypercholesterolemic mice. Furthermore, E. faecalis ATCC19433 reduced the concentration of liver cholesterol and improved cholesterol by increasing the expression of ABCG5 and ABCG8. Moreover, oral administration of E. faecalis ATCC19433 modulated the composition of gut microbiota and increased the counts of Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, and Akkermansia. Our results showed that E. faecalis ATCC19433 could exert hypocholesterolemic effect on hypercholesterolemic mice by improving transporter ABCG5 and ABCG8. E. faecalis ATCC19433 maybe contribute to the transportation of cholesterol potentially and modulate the composition of gut microbiota. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study characterized chemical structures of tetraploid jiaogulan saponins, and investigated their cholesterol-lowering effects and mechanisms in hamsters fed a high-fat diet (HFD). Nine saponins, including five reported for the first time, were obtained from total jiaogulan saponins (TJS) and elucidated for their chemical structures according to 2D NMR and HR-MS data. Administration of TJS effectively decreased plasma total cholesterol by 17.4% and 32.6%, triacylglycerols by 22.8% and 47.7% and LDL-C by 22.0% and 40.2%, respectively. Moreover, supplementation with TJS significantly increased faecal excretion of total cholesterol and bile acids by 43.8% and 64.4%, respectively. TJS significantly up-regulated intestinal mRNA levels of ABCG5/8, LXRα, hepatic mRNA CYP7A1 and ABCG5 in hamsters on HFD. In addition, TJS decreased cholesterol micelle solubility and suppressed cholesterol uptake in cultured Caco-2 cells. Taking together, TJS may reduce plasma cholesterol by increasing faecal cholesterol excretion and through modulation of genes involved in cholesterol absorption and metabolism.

Hypercholesterolemia is a major concern worldwide. The aim of this work was to evaluate the additive and synergistic effect of oat supplementation to probiotic fermented milk on lowering hypercholesterolemia in vivo . Forty eight male albino rats divided into six groups were fed with six different diets i.e. normal synthetic diet, cholesterol enriched diet, cholesterol enriched diet supplemented with skim milk, cholesterol enriched diet supplemented with Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG or (LGG) fermented skim milk at the rate of 10 8  cfu/ml, cholesterol enriched diet supplemented with oat bran and cholesterol enriched diet supplemented with oats in LGG fermented skim milk (10 8  cfu/ml) for 60 days. Blood samples were withdrawn on 0, 30 and 60 day to analyze the lipid profile. Hypocholesterolemic effect was illustrated in terms of lowering of cholesterol by 19%, triglycerides by 63.5%, LDL by 6%, VLDL by 44.5% in rats fed with oats supplemented with LGG. These values were not only higher than the values from other groups fed with either oats or LGG, but most importantly, the level of HDL did not increase significantly in this group. This study concluded that a composite diet of oats with LGG has a beneficial effect on hypercholesterolemia, illustrating synergistic interactions among these two components. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Policosanol is a cholesterol-lowering drug with documented efficacy and safety. The potential risk of adverse drug interaction (IDD) with policosanol appears to be low, but some interactions should still be explored. Cardiac glycosides are widely used in geriatric populations to treat congestive heart failure and atrial fibrillation but have a substantial risk of toxicity. As part of a large Prevention Study, we investigated whether concomitant administration of policosanol with cardiac glycosides induces any specific adverse event (AE) or alteration in any safety indicator in older patients. 1 470 elderly patients with high coronary risk were assigned by roasting to a group receiving policosanol 5 mg/d or to another group that would be treated with placebo treatment for three years. For the analysis, the records of all patients and 79 of them who took cardiac glycosides were included. Both groups were well matched at baseline. Effects on serum lipid profile of the policosanol group persisted during the test. At the end of the study, policosanol decreased low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (33.9 %), total cholesterol (24.1 %), triglycerides (28.7 %) and HDL-C (16.7 %). Twenty-six patients (16 placebos, 10 policosanol, p < 0.05) were withdrawn from the study, 12 (9 placebo, 3 policosanol, p < 0.01) due to AE. The frequency of severe AE in the treatment with policosanol was lower (p < 0.05) than in patients treated with placebo, whereas that of other nonsevere AEs was similar in both groups. We conclude that policosanol administered concomitantly with cardiac glycosides to elderly patients was effective and well tolerated, not increasing any AE. These results indicate, that policosanol can be consumed by these cardiac glycosides treated patients without significant risk of IDD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Homozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia (HoFH) is a rare form of inherited dyslipidemia resistant to conventional cholesterol-lowering medications so that lipoprotein apheresis (LA) is usually required. Lomitapide has been approved for the treatment of HoFH. The aim of this study was to evaluate the benefits of lomitapide in HoFH patients followed with the usual clinical care.Methods: Clinical and biochemical data were retrospectively collected in 15 HoFH patients (10 with mutations in the LDLR gene and 5 in the LDLRAP1 gene) treated for at least 6 months with lomitapide in addition to lipid-lowering therapies (LLT) in different Lipid Clinics across Italy.Results: The mean follow-up period was 32.3 ± 29.7 months. During background therapies, HoFH patients showed a mean LDL-C level of 426.0 ± 204.0 mg/dl. The addition of lomitapide at the average dosage of 19 mg/day lowered LDL-C levels by 68.2 ± 24.8%. At their last visit, 60% of patients showed LDL-C <100 mg/dl and 46.6% <70 mg/dl. During follow-up, 8 of 10 patients receiving LA (80%) stopped this treatment due to marked LDL-C reduction. A wide range (13-95%) of individual LDL-C reduction was observed, but this was not related to genotype. During follow-up, 53.3% of patients reported at least one episode of diarrhea, but none was referred as severe; none had liver transaminase >5× ULN or had to stop treatment due to side effects. A subset of patients was evaluated by liver ultrasound and fibroscan (n = 5) or nuclear magnetic resonance with spectroscopy (MRS) (n = 1) not showing clinical evidence of liver damage.Conclusion: In this real-world experience, lomitapide was confirmed to be a very powerful cholesterol-lowering agent in HoFH showing a good safety profile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Yeast and lactic acid bacteria (LAB) were isolated from Ethiopian traditional fermented beverage, borde and evaluated for their potential probiotic properties, bile salt hydrolase (BSH) activity, cholesterol-lowering ability and antioxidant activity. Eleven LAB and thirteen yeast strains were selected based on their BSH activity and subjected for further examination. The results showed that LAB strains WS07, AM15, and AM20 exhibited a strong potential to lower cholesterol (85–90%), while yeast strains WS15, AA19, AM18, and AM23 showed the highest cholesterol removal (82–89%). All strains demonstrated strong antioxidant activity and survived simulated gastrointestinal tract (GIT) conditions. Four LAB and six yeast isolates were selected as the most promising probiotics based on their ability to resist simulated GIT environments. Safety evaluation revealed that none of the strains exhibited undesirable hemolytic activity or mucin hydrolysis. LAB strains were not resistant to most tested antibiotics except for vancomycin, gentamycin, and streptomycin, whereas yeast isolates were resistant to all antibiotics. The LAB strains WS07, AA13 and AM20, were identified as Pediococcus acidilactici , while, yeast isolates WS15 and AM18 were identified as Saccharomyces cerevisiae , and AA19 as Pichia cecembensis. Pediococcus acidilactici WS07 and Saccharomyces cerevisiae AM18 were identified as potential probiotic strains for cholesterol reduction. • 11 LAB and 13 yeast isolates were studied for their probiotic properties. • All isolates displayed GIT survival, hydrophobicity, and auto-aggregation. • All isolates show in vitro cholesterol lowering ability and antioxidant activity. • P. acidilactici WS07 and S. cerevisiae AM18 were selected as promising probiotics. • The study proposes borde as a potential source of probiotics with health-promoting effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study characterized chemical structures of tetraploid jiaogulan saponins, and investigated their cholesterol-lowering effects and mechanisms in hamsters fed a high-fat diet (HFD). Nine saponins, including five reported for the first time, were obtained from total jiaogulan saponins (TJS) and elucidated for their chemical structures according to 2D NMR and HR-MS data. Administration of TJS effectively decreased plasma total cholesterol by 17.4% and 32.6%, triacylglycerols by 22.8% and 47.7% and LDL-C by 22.0% and 40.2%, respectively. Moreover, supplementation with TJS significantly increased faecal excretion of total cholesterol and bile acids by 43.8% and 64.4%, respectively. TJS significantly up-regulated intestinal mRNA levels of ABCG5/8, LXRα, hepatic mRNA CYP7A1 and ABCG5 in hamsters on HFD. In addition, TJS decreased cholesterol micelle solubility and suppressed cholesterol uptake in cultured Caco-2 cells. Taking together, TJS may reduce plasma cholesterol by increasing faecal cholesterol excretion and through modulation of genes involved in cholesterol absorption and metabolism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lactobacillus plantarum EM, which was isolated from kimchi, showed high cholesterol removal by growing, resting, and even dead cells. Moreover, cell wall fraction of L. plantarum EM removed cholesterol in a cell wall concentration-dependent pattern . Lactobacillus acidophilus ATCC 43121 as a control showed high cholesterol removal by growing cells, whereas resting and dead cells showed less cholesterol removal. Scanning electron micrographs showed that large amounts of cholesterol adhered to surfaces of growing and dead cells of L. plantarum EM without changes in cell morphology. On the other hand, only a small amount of cholesterol adhered to the surface of L. acidophilus ATCC 43121 cells, and growing cells of L. acidophilus ATCC 43121 showed morphological changes with a thinner and longer shape. Based on these results, cholesterol removal mechanisms by L. plantarum EM could be attributed to enzymatic assimilation including bile salt hydrolase activity and cell surface-binding. Further, L. plantarum EM showed reasonable tolerance to acid and bile stresses and displayed antagonistic activity against pathogens. Moreover, L. plantarum EM did not represent a health risk due to antibiotic resistance. The results of this study indicate that L. plantarum EM may be a promising probiotic candidate and adjunct culture for reduction of serum cholesterol level regardless of its viability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The bacterium Lactobacillus reuteri LR6, an isolate from breast-fed human infant feces, was tested positive for bile tolerance and bile salt hydrolase activity. It was also evaluated as a potential probiotic with cholesterol-lowering effect in vivo. In this study, 32 male Albino rats were divided into four groups consisting of eight mice per group. For 60 d, group I was fed with normal synthetic diet, group II was fed with cholesterol-enriched diet only, group III was fed with cholesterol-enriched diet supplemented with skimmed milk, and group IV was fed with cholesterol-enriched diet supplemented with L. reuteri LR6-fermented skimmed milk (108 cfu/mL). Blood samples were taken to study lipid profile on 0th, 15th, 30th and 60th day. Compared with the control group, the values for total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), and LDL were reduced significantly in group fed with L. reuteri LR6 but for HDL this difference was not significant. The results indicated that L. reuteri LR6 might be effective as a probiotic with cholesterol-lowering activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background In this study, whole krill oil ( WKO) and phospholipid-type krill oil ( PKO) with different lipid composition were prepared. The effects of KO intake on plasma cholesterol and glucose levels in Wistar rats fed a high-cholesterol diet ( HCD) were investigated. Results WKO contained 37.63% triglycerides, 48.37% phospholipids, 13.54% free fatty acids and 0.66% cholesterol, whereas the corresponding values for PKO were 0.59, 69.80, 28.53 and 1.09% respectively. Meanwhile, PKO contained much more polyunsaturated fatty acids ( PUFA, 37.76%) than WKO (28.36%). After 4 weeks of HCD consumption, plasma levels of total cholesterol ( TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( LDL-C) and glucose increased significantly, but that of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( HDL-C) decreased significantly. The intake of PKO and WKO for 4 weeks caused a significant reduction in body weight gain and plasma levels of TC and LDL-C in HCD-fed rats. Compared with WKO, PKO was more effective in decreasing plasma TC and LDL-C levels. Conclusion PKO showed better overall cholesterol-lowering effects than WKO, which may be due to its higher n-3 PUFA levels. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a previous in vitro study, we reported that the potential mechanism of the cholesterol-lowering effect of Lactobacillus brevis 119-2 isolated from turnip Tsuda kabu was the incorporation of cholesterol to cell membrane. In this study, we analyzed serum cholesterol and hepatic gene expression of Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats kept on a cholesterol diet with or without L. brevis 119-2 for 2 weeks, to evaluate the cholesterol-lowering effect in vivo. Serum cholesterol levels were significantly reduced in SD rats kept on a diet including L. brevis 119-2 compared with that in SD rats kept on a diet without L. brevis 119-2, and both viable and dead L. brevis 119-2 induced this effect. Hepatic gene analysis by DNA microarray suggested that the potential mechanism of the cholesterol-lowering effect of L. brevis 119-2 in vivo was inhibition of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase activity by insulin induced gene (Insig) protein, and induction of catabolism of cholesterol to bile acid by Cyp7a1 (cytochrome P450 a1). In addition, we found that inclusion of L. brevis 119-2 in the diet decreased serum low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels by inducing overexpression of the LDL receptor gene. In contrast, Lactobacillus acidophilus ATCC 43121 increased high density lipoprotein cholesterol levels by inducing overexpression of the ATP-binding cassette sub-family. A member 1 (Abca1) and Angiopoietin-like 3 (Angptl3) genes. These results suggest that L. brevis 119-2 decreases the risk of atherosclerosis by lowering serum cholesterol, ameliorating the effect of fatty liver. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lactobacillus plantarum strains isolated and identified from naturally-fermented Chinese sauerkraut were examined in vitro for potential probiotic properties and in vivo for cholesterol-lowering effect in mice. Among 7 isolated L. plantarum strains, strains S2-5 and S4-1 were found to possess desirable probiotic properties including ability to survive at pH 2.0 for 60 min, tolerate pancreatin and bile salts, adhere to Caco-2 cells, produce high β-galactosidase activity and antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli O157 and Shigella flexneri CMCC(B). In addition, strains S2-5 and S4-1 were susceptible to several antibiotics, and capable of reducing cholesterol level in MRS medium by assimilation of cholesterol at 20.39 and 22.28 μg ml, respectively. The in vivo study with L. plantarum S4-1 showed that feeding with fermented milk containing this strain was able to effectively reduce serum cholesterol level in mice, demonstrating its potential as an excellent probiotic candidate for applications in functional products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To develop new functional foods for the prevention of atherosclerosis, we evaluated the cholesterol-lowering effects of several strains of Lactobacillus (L.) brevis. These strains included the 7-amino butyric acid-producing strains L. brevis 119-2 and L. brevis 119-6, isolated from turnip "tsuda kabu" and pickled turnip "tsuda kabu zuke", respectively. To evaluate the cholesterol-lowering effects of L. brevis in vitro and to examine potential mechanisms of this property, we evaluated changes in levels of cholesterol, sodium taurocholate, and cholic acid in growth medium containing cholesterol and sodium taurocholate. Moreover, to assess the potential of L. brevis 119-2 and L. brevis 119-6 for probiotic use, we examined the tolerance of L. brevis to artificial digestive fluid and its adherence to epithelial cells. Our results indicate that L. brevis 119-2 incorporates cholesterol from the medium into the cell, and that L. brevis 119-2 and L. brevis 119-6 are probiotic bacteria. Therefore, we propose that viable cells of L. brevis 119-2 can reach the small intestine, where they can inhibit intestinal absorption of cholesterol in vivo by incorporation of cholesterol into the cell. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objectives of this study were to screen probiotic characteristics of lactobacilli isolated from traditionally homemade koumiss products in Xinjiang and Inner Mongolia of China, and to determine and compare the effect of the Lactobacillus strains in vivo on lipid metabolism in rats fed with a high-lipid diet. Three out of 68 strains of Lactobacillus isolated from the koumiss were screened for bile-salt resistance, acid tolerance, and different hypocholesterolemic properties. The cholesterol-lowering effects of the 3 screened strains were estimated in rats fed a high-lipid diet by determination of serum lipids, liver, and fecal cholesterol, fecal total bile acids, and short-chain fatty acids. After a 4-wk feeding period, in comparison with the control group, the groups LIP-1 and MG9-2 had a significant reduction in serum total cholesterol, triglyceride and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and significantly increased high-density lipoprotein, the group E7301 had similar effects on serum lipids, but the change was not significant. The groups LIP-1, MG9-2 and E7301 had a significant reduction in liver cholesterol content and an increase in fecal cholesterol content compared with the control group. Total bile acid excretion was significantly higher in rats fed MG9-2 than the other groups. Rats fed diets containing lactic acid bacteria strains had significantly higher propionic acid and butyric acid concentrations in the feces compared with the control. Results indicated that the 3 screened Lactobacillus strains were able to lower cholesterol in vitro, and reduce cholesterol effectively in vivo. The mechanisms behind the hypocholesterolemic effect of 3 strains are likely to be diverse and will need further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of Lactobacillus plantarum MA2, an isolate from Chinese traditional Tibet kefir, on cholesterol-lowering and microflora of rat in vivo. Rats were fed on cholesterol-enriched experimental diet, supplemented with lyophilized L. plantarum MA2 powder, with a dose of 1011 cells/day per mice. The results showed that L. plantarum MA2 feeding significantly lowered serum total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglycerides level, while there was no change in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. In addition, liver total cholesterol and triglycerides was also decreased. However, fecal cholesterol and triglycerides was increased significantly ( P < 0.05) in comparison with the control. Also, L. plantarum MA2 increased the population of lactic acid bacteria and bifidobacteria in the fecal, but it did not change the number of Escherichia coli as compared to control. Moreover, pH, moisture, and organic acids in the fecal were also measured. The present results indicate the probiotic potential of the L. plantarum MA2 strain in hypocholesterolemic effect and also increasing the probiotic count in the intestine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In the present study, we examined the mechanisms underlying the cytotoxicity of pitavastatin, a new statin, and we compared the in vitro potencies of muscle cytotoxicity using a prototypic embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma cell line (RD cells), a typical side effect of statins and compared the cholesterol-lowering effects of statins using Hep G2 hepatoma cells. Pitavastatin reduced the number of viable cells and caused caspase-9 and -3/7 activation in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. The comparison of cytotoxities of statins showed that statins significantly reduced cell viability and markedly enhanced activity of caspase-3/7 in concentration-dependent manner. On the other hand, the effects of hydrophilic statins, pravastatin, rosuvastatin were very weak. The rank order of cytotoxicity was cerivastatin > simvastatin acid> fluvastatin > atorvastatin > lovastatin acid > pitavastatin ≫ rosuvastatin, pravastatin. Statin-induced cytotoxicity is associated with these partition coefficients. On the other hand, the cholesterol-lowering effect of statins did not correlate with these partition coefficients and cytotoxicity. Thus, it is necessary to consider the association between risk of myopathy and cholesterol-lowering effect of a statin for precise use of statins. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The bacterium Lactobacillus plantarum PH04 was isolated from infant feces and tested positive for bile/acid tolerance and bile salt hydrolase activity. It was evaluated as a potential probiotic with cholesterol-lowering effect. Bile salt hydrolase activity was nine times greater in stationary phase than in exponential phase cells and increased when the cells were exposed to conjugated bile salts. L. plantarum PH04 was resistant to seven of nine antibiotics tested and did not produce β-glucuronidase. L. plantarum PH04 was fed to hypercholesterolemic mice at numbers of 107 CFU per mouse per day for 14 days. Compared with a control group, the serum cholesterol and triglycerides were respectively 7 and 10% lower in the group fed L. plantarum PH04, and fecal lactic acid bacteria increased while no any significant differences (P <0.05) in body weight, visceral weigh index or bacteria translocation between two groups were observed. The results indicated that L. plantarum PH04 might be effective as a probiotic with cholesterol-lowering activities. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: More than 50 studies have reported substantial reductions in plasma lipid concentrations in response to 2-40 mg Cuban sugar cane policosanol (SCP) mixtures/d. However, several animal and human trials conducted outside of Cuba that used non- Cuban mixtures have failed to reproduce the efficacy of policosanols observed in earlier studies. Objective: The objective was to evaluate lipid-modulating actions of the authentic Cuban SCPs on plasma lipids in healthy hypercholesterolemic volunteers. Design: Twenty-one volunteers consumed, under supervision, 10mgSCPs/d or a placebo incorporated in margarine as an afternoon snack, for a period of 28 d with the use of a randomized, double-blind crossover study design. Subjects maintained their habitual diet and physical activity and were weighed daily throughout the study period. Blood was collected at days 1, 2, 28, and 29 of the feeding trial, and lipid concentrations were measured. Results: Body weights did not vary significantly throughout the trial and did not affect plasma lipid values. No significant difference was observed between treatment and control groups in plasma total, LDL-, HDL-cholesterol, and triacylglycerol concentrations. Conclusion: Present results show no beneficial effects of Cuban SCPs on lipid indicators in hypercholesterolemic persons and question the clinical usefulness of policosanol mixtures as cholesterollowering neutraceutical agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the effects of SMP-500, a novel acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) inhibitor, on ACAT activities in the liver and intestine, and in macrophages. We measured its effects on the serum cholesterol levels and hepatic cholesterol content in mice, rabbits and hamsters. SMP-500 inhibited ACAT activities in rabbit liver and small intestine microsomes with IC[sub 50] values of 72 and 84 nmol/l, respectively, and acted as a competitive inhibitor of rabbit liver ACAT. SMP-500 potently inhibited cholesterol esterification in rat peritoneal macrophages (IC[sub 50] = 15 nmol/l). In high-fat and high-cholesterol diet-fed mice and in high-cholesterol diet-fed rabbits, SMP-500 reduced the serum cholesterol levels and the hepatic cholesterol content. SMP-500 also reduced the serum and hepatic cholesterol in normal chow-fed hamsters in a dose-dependent manner. In all the animal models, SMP-500 reduced the hepatic free cholesterol content as well as the total and esterified cholesterol. Administered orally, SMP-500 had a direct inhibitory effect on hepatic ACAT activity. These results indicate that SMP-500 is a potent and competitive ACAT inhibitor and may have a therapeutic potential for treating hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis.Copyright © 2002 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Growing evidence suggests that prebiotics may induce weight loss and alleviate non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) via modulation of the gut microbiota. However, key members of the gut microbiota that may mediate the beneficial effects of prebiotics remain elusive. Here, we find that restricted prebiotic feeding during active phase (HF-ARP) induced weight-independent alleviation of liver steatosis and reduced serum cholesterol in high-fat diet (HF) fed mice more significantly than unrestricted feeding (HF-UP). HF-ARP mice also showed concomitantly altered gut microbiota structure that was different from HF-UP group along with significantly increased production of total short-chain fatty-acids (SCFAs). Amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) were clustered into co-abundant groups (CAGs) as potential functional groups that may respond distinctively to prebiotic consumption and prebiotic feeding regime. Prebiotic feeding induces significant alterations in CAG abundances by day 7. Eight of 32 CAGs were promoted by prebiotics, including CAG17 with the most abundant ASV from Parabacteroides, CAG22 with Bacteroides thetaiotamicron and CAG32 with Fecalibaculum and Akkermansia . Among the prebiotic-promoted CAGs, CAG20 with ASVs from Lachnospiraceae and CAG21 with ASVs from Bifidobacterium and Lachnospiraceae were significantly enhanced in HF-ARP compared to HF-UP. Moreover, most of the prebiotic-promoted CAGs were also significantly associated with improvements in hepatic steatosis, reduction in serum cholesterol and increased cecal propionate production. Together, these results suggest that the impact of prebiotics on weight-independent alleviation of liver steatosis and cholesterol-lowering effect can be optimized by restricting prebiotic intake to active phase and is associated with a distinct change of gut microbiota with increased SCFA production., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2020 The Authors.)

• Phytosterols showed cholesterol-lowering effects in Caco-2 cells. • Phytosterols mediating transporter – NPC1L1, ABCG5 and ABCG8. • Phytosterols inhibit the synthesis by reducing HMGCS1 level. • Phytosterols interrupt the conversion to cholesterol esters by lowering ACAT2 level. • Structural differences have effects on cholesterol-lowering activity of phytosterols. Phytosterols have been shown to be effective in reducing blood cholesterol by suppressing intestinal cholesterol absorption in both humans and animals. In present study, the inhibition of cholesterol absorption in Caco-2 cells by ergosterol, ergosterol acetate, β-sitosterol, stigmasterol, campesterol and stellasterol were systematically assessed. Results showed that the phytosterols produced cholesterol-lowering effect in Caco-2 cells. This effect was largely mediated via reducing the biosynthesis of cholesterol (HMGCS1); meditating the key proteins in cholesterol transportation and metabolism (NPC1L1, ABCG5/ABCG8); interrupting the conversion of cholesterol to cholesterol esters (ACAT2). Results indicated that their cholesterol-lowering activity may be correlated with the functional group (hydroxyl or ester) on C-3 position (ergosterol < ergosterol acetate) and the functional groups on C-5 position of phytosterols (ergosterol > stellasterol). Further researches are needed to confirm the cholesterol-lowering effects of phytosterols with functional group (methyl or ethyl) on C-24 and the functional groups on C-22 position. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lactobacillus plantarum was not only one of the most popular probiotics, but also one of the most versatile lactic acid bacteria. L. plantarum LLY-606 and L. plantarum pc-26 are strains isolated from human gut that are intended to be explored as probiotics. In this study, the genome sequences of LLY-606 and pc-26 were sequenced, and multiple genes related to probiotic properties were analyzed. First, the pathogenicity of these strains was evaluated, and antibiotic resistance genes were surveyed at the whole genome level to determine their primary safety. And then, genes for stress response, plantaricin (pln) biosynthesis, extracellular polysaccharide (EPS) biosynthesis, and bile salt hydrolase (BSH) were analyzed to evaluate their industrial utilization, adhesive capacity, and survival ability in gut, which were properties fundamental for probiotic strains. The physiological features assured by these genes were assayed in vitro . The strains were then evaluated in vivo for their ability to lower cholesterol, and they were both found to be effective in improving hypercholesterolemia in golden hamsters. In this study, a genetic pre-evaluation was conducted through genome analysis combined with in vitro physiological assay, and the probiotic properties of these strains were verified in vivo .

Metabolic syndrome is characterized by a combination of several metabolic disorders, including obesity, hyperglycemia, and hyperlipidemia. A simultaneous occurrence is one of the most crucial features of metabolic syndrome; therefore, we selected an animal model in which this would be reflected. We fed C57BL/6N mice a high-fat diet for 23 weeks to develop metabolic syndrome and examined the efficacy of Rubus occidentalis (RO) for hyperglycemia and hypercholesterolemia. Oral administration of RO for 16 weeks improved hyperglycemia as indicated by significantly decreased fasting glucose levels and a glucose tolerance test. Improvements were also observed in hypercholesterolemia, in which significant decreases in serum total cholesterol, non-high-density lipoprotein (non-HDL) cholesterol, apolipoprotein A-1, and apolipoprotein B levels were observed. The time comparison of major biomarkers, observed at the initiation and termination of the experimental period, consistently supported the beneficial effects of RO on each metabolic phenotype. In addition, RO treatment attenuated the excessive fat accumulation in hepatic and adipose tissue by decreasing the size and number of lipid droplets. These results suggested that RO simultaneously exerted antihyperglycemic and antihyperlipidemic effects in mice with diet-induced metabolic syndrome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]