Impact of Soy ß-Conglycinin Peptides on PCSK9 Protein Expression in HepG2 Cells.

BACKGROUND: Dyslipidaemias, particularly elevated plasma low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels, are major risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Besides pharmacological approaches, a nutritional strategy for CVD prevention has gained increasing attention. Among functional foods, the hypocholesterolemic properties of soy are driven by a stimulation of LDL-receptor (LDL-R) activity. AIM: To characterize the effect of two soy peptides, namely, ß-conglycinin-derived YVVNPDNDEN and YVVNPDNNEN on the expression of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9), one of the key-regulators of the LDL-R. METHODS: PCSK9 promoter activity (luciferase assay), PCSK9 protein expression (WB) and secretion (ELISA), PCSK9 interaction with LDL-R (binding assay) and human HepG2 cells were the objects of this investigation. RESULTS: Treatment with YVVNPDNNEN peptide has led to a rise in PCSK9 gene expression (90.8%) and transcriptional activity (86.4%), and to a decrement in PCSK9 intracellular and secreted protein (-42.9%) levels. YVVNPDNNEN peptide reduced the protein expression of transcriptional factor HNF1α. Most changes driven by YVVNPDNDEN peptide were not statistically significant. Neither peptide inhibited the PCSK9-LDLR interaction. CONCLUSIONS: Although sharing a common effect on LDL-R levels through the inhibition of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl CoA reductase activity, only the YVVNPDNNEN peptide has an additional mechanism via the downregulation of PCSK9 protein levels.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil Phenol Extracts Exert Hypocholesterolemic Effects through the Modulation of the LDLR Pathway: In Vitro and Cellular Mechanism of Action Elucidation.

This study was aimed at investigating the hypocholesterolemic effects of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) phenols and the mechanisms behind the effect. Two phenolic extracts were prepared from EVOO of different cultivars and analyzed using the International Olive Council (IOC) official method for total phenols, a recently validated hydrolytic procedure for total hydroxytyrosol and tyrosol, and 1H-NMR analysis in order to assess their secoiridoid profiles. Both of the extracts inhibited in vitro the 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl co-enzyme A reductase (HMGCoAR) activity in a dose-dependent manner. After the treatment of human hepatic HepG2 cells (25 µg/mL), they increased the low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor protein levels through the activation of the sterol regulatory element binding proteins (SREBP)-2 transcription factor, leading to a better ability of HepG2 cells to uptake extracellular LDL molecules with a final hypocholesterolemic effect. Moreover, both of the extracts regulated the intracellular HMGCoAR activity through the increase of its phosphorylation by the activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)-pathways. Unlike pravastatin, they did not produce any unfavorable effect on proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin 9 (PCSK9) protein level. Finally, the fact that extracts with different secoiridoid profiles induce practically the same biological effects suggests that the hydroxytyrosol and tyrosol derivatives may have similar roles in hypocholesterolemic activity.

Low density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR)-targeted lipid nanoparticles for the delivery of sorafenib and Dihydroartemisinin in liver cancers.

AIMS: Liver cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer mortality worldwide. Inspired by the biological structure and function of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), in this study, an ApopB-100 based targeted lipid nanoparticles was synthesized to improve the therapeutic efficacy in liver cancer treatment. MAIN METHODS: The biological composition of ApopB is similar to LDL which can effectively increase the targeting efficiency of nanoparticles in LDL receptor (LDLR)-overexpressed liver tumors. KEYFINDINGS: We have demonstrated that the co-administration of sorafenib (SRF) and Dihydroartemisinin (DHA) could exhibit synergistic anticancer effect in HepG2 liver cancer cells. DHA produced excessive cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and induced greater apoptosis of cancer cells. LDL-based SRF/DHA-loaded lipid nanoparticles (LD-SDN) showed remarkable decrease in the cell viability compared to that of either of single drug treated cancer cells. Combination of SRF+DHA resulted in predominant SubG1 proportion of cells. LD-SDN exhibited the highest SubG1 (%) of cells compared to that of any of the individual drugs. Most importantly, robust antitumor response and delayed tumor growth was observed for LD-SDN treated xenograft tumor model. Ki67 proliferation index of LD-SDN (22.1 ± 5.6%) is significantly lesser compared to that of either control (86.2 ± 6.9%) or SRF (75.4 ± 4.89%) or DHA (69.4 ± 6.9%). SIGNIFICANCES: These data provide strong evidence that LDL-mimetic lipid nanoformulations could be utilized as a biocompatible and tumor targeted platform for the delivery of multiple anticancer drugs in cancer treatment.

Potential Biological Effects of (-)-Epigallocatechin-3-gallate on the Treatment of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a major health issue throughout the world. However, no validated treatments for NAFLD are currently available. In-depth studies have demonstrated the efficacy of (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), a main bioactive chemical extracted from green tea, in treating NAFLD. EGCG exhibits multi-pronged preventive and therapeutic activities, including promoting lipid and glucose metabolism, anti-lipid peroxidation and anti-inflammation activities, anti-fibrosis, and anti-NAFLD related tumor, thus contributing to the mitigation of NAFLD occurrence and progression. The objectives of this paper are to review and discuss the currently known targets, signaling pathways and roles of EGCG that interfere with NAFLD pathogenesis, then providing additional experimental evidence and the foundation for the further studies and clinical applications of EGCG in the prevention and treatment of NAFLD.

Blackcurrant anthocyanins stimulated cholesterol transport via post-transcriptional induction of LDL receptor in Caco-2 cells.

PURPOSES: We previously showed that polyphenol-rich blackcurrant extract (BCE) showed a hypocholesterolemic effect in mice fed a high fat diet. As direct cholesterol removal from the body via the intestine has been recently appreciated, we investigated the effect of BCE on the modulation of genes involved in intestinal cholesterol transport using Caco-2 cells as an in vitro model. METHODS: Caco-2 cells were treated with BCE to determine its effects on mRNA and protein expression of genes important for intestinal cholesterol transport, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) uptake, cellular cholesterol content, and cholesterol transport from basolateral to apical membrane of Caco-2 cell monolayers. Cells were also treated with anthocyanin-rich or -poor fraction of BCE to determine the role of anthocyanin on BCE effects. RESULTS: BCE significantly increased protein levels of LDL receptor (LDLR) without altering its mRNA, which consequently increased LDL uptake into Caco-2 cells. This post-transcriptional induction of LDLR by BCE was markedly attenuated in the presence of rapamycin, an inhibitor of mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1). In addition, BCE altered genes involved in cholesterol transport in the enterocytes, including apical and basolateral cholesterol transporters, in such a way that could enhance cholesterol flux from the basolateral to apical side of the enterocytes. Indeed, BCE significantly increased the flux of LDL-derived cholesterol from the basolateral to the apical chamber of Caco-2 monolayer. LDLR protein levels were markedly increased by anthocyanin-rich fraction, but not by anthocyanin-free fraction. CONCLUSION: mTORC1-dependent post-transcriptional induction of LDLR by BCE anthocyanins drove the transport of LDL-derived cholesterol to the apical side of the enterocytes. This may represent a potential mechanism for the hypocholesterolemic effect of BCE.

Anti-atherogenic effects of a phenol-rich fraction from Brazilian red wine (Vitis labrusca L.) in hypercholesterolemic low-density lipoprotein receptor knockout mice.

Moderate wine intake (i.e., 1-2 glasses of wine a day) is associated with a reduced risk of morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-atherosclerotic effects of a nonalcoholic ethyl acetate fraction (EAF) from a South Brazilian red wine obtained from Vitis labrusca grapes. Experiments were carried out on low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor knockout (LDLr⁻/⁻) mice, which were subjected to a hypercholesterolemic diet and treated with doses of EAF (3, 10, and 30 mg/kg) for 12 weeks. At the end of the treatment, the level of plasma lipids, the vascular reactivity, and the atherosclerotic lesions were evaluated. Our results demonstrated that the treatment with EAF at 3 mg/kg significantly decreased total cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL plus very low-density lipoprotein levels compared with control hypercholesterolemic mice. The treatment of mice with EAF at 3 mg/kg also preserved the vasodilatation induced by acetylcholine on isolated thoracic aorta from hypercholesterolemic LDLr⁻/⁻ mice. This result is in agreement with the degree of lipid deposit on arteries. Taken together, the results show for the first time that the lowest concentration of an EAF obtained from a red wine produced in southern Brazil significantly reduced the progression of atherosclerosis in mice.

A green tea catechin extract upregulates the hepatic low-density lipoprotein receptor in rats.

Green tea extracts have hypocholesterolaemic properties in epidemiological and animal intervention studies. Upregulation of the low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor may be one mechanism to explain this as it is the main way cholesterol is removed from the circulation. This study aimed to determine if a green tea extract could upregulate the hepatic LDL receptor in vivo in the rat. A green tea extract (GTE) enriched in its anti-oxidant constituents, the catechins, was fed to rats (n = 6) at concentrations of either 0, 0.5, 1.0 or 2.0% (w/w) mixed in with their normal chow along with 0.25% (w/w) cholesterol for 12 days. Administration of the GTE had no effect on plasma total or LDL cholesterol concentrations but high-density lipoprotein significantly increased (41%; p < 0.05). Interestingly, there was a significant increase in LDL receptor binding activity (2.7-fold) and LDL receptor protein (3.4-fold) in the 2% (w/w) treatment group compared to controls. There were also significant reductions in liver total and unesterified cholesterol (40%). Administration of the GTE significantly reduced cholesterol absorption (24%) but did not affect cholesterol synthesis. These results show that, despite no effect on plasma cholesterol, the GTE upregulated the LDL receptor in vivo. This appears to be via a reduction in liver cholesterol concentration and suggests that the green tea extract was able to increase the efflux of cholesterol from liver cells.

Red grape juice polyphenols alter cholesterol homeostasis and increase LDL-receptor activity in human cells in vitro.

Red grape juice (RGJ) polyphenols have been shown to reduce circulating levels of LDL cholesterol and to increase LDL receptor activity. To explore the effect of RGJ-derived polyphenols on intracellular cholesterol homeostasis, human hepatocarcinoma HepG2 and promyelocytic HL-60 cell lines were incubated in serum-free medium, with or without LDL, in the presence or absence of RGJ. In the presence of LDL, RGJ increased both the activity and cell surface expression of the LDL receptor, and increased the cell total cholesterol content. In cells exposed to LDL, RGJ also increased levels of the active form of sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1 and mRNA expression of the LDL receptor and hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA reductase. In contrast, RGJ caused a marked reduction in the expression of CYP7A1, apolipoprotein B, ABCA1, and ABCG5. Experiments using the acyl-CoA cholesterol acyltransferase inhibitor S-58035 indicated that no measurable free cholesterol from endocytosed LDL reaches the endoplasmic reticulum in cells treated with RGJ. Finally, fluorescence microscopy revealed that in RGJ-treated cells, DiI-labeled LDL did not colocalize with CD63, a protein localized at steady state in the internal vesicles of late endosomes. These results indicate that RGJ polyphenols disrupt or delay LDL trafficking through the endocytic pathway, thus preventing LDL cholesterol from exerting regulatory effects on intracellular lipid homeostasis.

A rice bran oil diet increases LDL-receptor and HMG-CoA reductase mRNA expressions and insulin sensitivity in rats with streptozotocin/nicotinamide-induced type 2 diabetes.

A rice bran oil (RBO) diet can reduce plasma lipids; this was attributed to the specific components, gamma-oryzanol and gamma-tocotrienol, which individually were shown to be hypocholesterolemic; however, the mechanism of their effects on diabetic hyperlipidemia and the development of diabetes is not known. Rats with streptozotocin/nicotinamide-induced type 2 diabetes were divided into control, RO10, and RO15 groups, and fed cholesterol-free diets containing 0, 10, and 15 g RBO with 0, 352, and 528 g gamma-oryzanol and 0, 6.0 and 9.0 mg gamma-tocotrienol/100 g diet for 4 wk. Diabetic rats fed the RBO diet had greater insulin sensitivity (P = 0.02) than rats fed the control diet. Diabetic rats fed the RBO diet also had lower plasma triglyceride (P = 0.003), LDL cholesterol (P = 0.028), and hepatic triglyceride concentrations (P = 0.04), as well as greater fecal neutral sterol and bile acid excretion than those fed the control diet. After 4 wk, there was an approximately 100% (P < 0.001) increase in the abundance of hepatic cholesterol 7alpha-hydroxylase, an 89% (P < 0.001) increase in the hepatic LDL-receptor, and a 50% (P < 0.001) increase in hepatic 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase mRNA in rats fed the RBO diet compared with those fed the control diet. These findings support the conclusion that a rice bran oil-containing diet can significantly suppress hyperlipidemic and hyperinsulinemic responses in diabetic rats. The high contents of gamma-oryzanol and gamma-tocotrienol in RBO can lead to increased fecal neutral sterol and bile acid excretion, via upregulation of cholesterol synthesis and catabolism.

Modulation of cholesterol metabolism by the green tea polyphenol (-)-epigallocatechin gallate in cultured human liver (HepG2) cells.

Epidemiological and animal studies have found that green tea is associated with lower plasma cholesterol. This study aimed to further elucidate how green tea modulates cholesterol metabolism. When HepG2 cells were incubated with the main green tea constituents, the catechins, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) was the only catechin to increase LDL receptor binding activity (3-fold) and protein (2.5-fold) above controls. EGCG increased the conversion of sterol regulatory element binding protein-1 (SREBP-1) to its active form (+56%) and lowered the cellular cholesterol concentration (-28%). At 50 microM, EGCG significantly lowered cellular cholesterol synthesis, explaining the reduction in cellular cholesterol. At 200 microM EGCG, cholesterol synthesis was significantly increased even though cellular cholesterol was lower, but there was a significant increase seen in medium cholesterol. This indicates that, at 200 microM, EGCG increases cellular cholesterol efflux. This study provides mechanisms by which green tea modulates cholesterol metabolism and indicates that EGCG might be its active constituent.

Epigallocatechin gallate increases the formation of cytosolic lipid droplets and decreases the secretion of apoB-100 VLDL.

Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) increases the formation of cytosolic lipid droplets by a mechanism that is independent of the rate of triglyceride biosynthesis and involves an enhanced fusion between lipid droplets, a process that is crucial for their growth in size. EGCG treatment reduced the secretion of both triglycerides and apolipoprotein B-100 (apoB-100) VLDLs but not of transferrin, albumin, or total proteins, indicating that EGCG diverts triglycerides from VLDL assembly to storage in the cytosol. This is further supported by the observed increase in both intracellular degradation of apoB-100 and ubiquitination of the protein (indicative of increased proteasomal degradation) in EGCG-treated cells. EGCG did not interfere with the microsomal triglyceride transfer protein, and the effect of EGCG on the secretion of VLDLs was found to be independent of the LDL receptor. Thus, our results indicate that EGCG promotes the accumulation of triglycerides in cytosolic lipid droplets, thereby diverting lipids from the assembly of VLDL to storage in the cytosol. Our results also indicate that the accumulation of lipids in the cytosol is not always associated with increased secretion of VLDL.

[Effect of curcumin on the gene expression of low density lipoprotein receptors].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the molecular mechanisms and effective target points of lipid-lowering drug, Rhizoma Curcumae Longae, and study the effect of curcumin on the expression of low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptors in macrophages in mice. METHODS: Macrophages in mice were treated with curcumin, which was purified from the ethanolly extraction of Rhizoma Curcumae Longae for 24 h. The LDL receptors expressed in the macrophages were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and assay of DiI labeled LDL uptake by flow cytometer. RESULTS: It was found for the first time that 10 micromol/L-50 micromol/L curcumin could obviously up-regulate the expression of LDL receptor in macrophages in mice, and a dose-effect relationship was demonstrated. CONCLUSION: One of the lipid-lowering mechanisms of traditional Chinese medicine, Rhizoma Curcumae Longae, was completed by the effect of curcumin through the up-regulation of the expression of LDL receptor.

Regulation of low-density lipoprotein receptor activity by estrogens and phytoestrogens in a HepG2 cell model.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Estrogen treatment is thought to lower low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels by increasing clearance through hepatic LDL receptors. This study aimed to determine the effect of estrogens and phytoestrogens on LDL receptor activity in a human hepatoma cell line, HepG2. METHODS: HepG2 cells in culture were incubated for 24 h with estrogen or phytoestrogen and LDL receptor activity was measured by examining the cellular binding of colloidal gold-labelled LDL. RESULTS: 17Beta-estradiol significantly increased LDL receptor activity whereas estriol had negligible effects. Incubation with the isoflavonoids, formononetin, biochanin A and daidzein, caused significant elevations in receptor activity at concentrations above 40 microM. Coumestrol, a coumestan with a high level of estrogenic activity, caused a 3-fold increase in receptor activity at a concentration of 50 microM. Of the phytoestrogenic mammalian lignans enterolactone and enterodiol, only enterolactone displayed the ability to significantly upregulate LDL receptor activity at 50 microM. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that the LDL receptor-stimulating effect of natural estrogens is mainly due to estradiol and that the cholesterol-lowering effect of diets high in phytoestrogens may be due in part to their ability to increase hepatic LDL receptor activity.

Pharmacotherapy for dyslipidaemia--current therapies and future agents.

Current lipid-altering agents that lower low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) primarily through increased hepatic LDL receptor activity include statins, bile acid sequestrants/resins and cholesterol absorption inhibitors such as ezetimibe, plant stanols/sterols, polyphenols, as well as nutraceuticals such as oat bran, psyllium and soy proteins; those currently in development include newer statins, phytostanol analogues, squalene synthase inhibitors, bile acid transport inhibitors and SREBP cleavage-activating protein (SCAP) activating ligands. Other current agents that affect lipid metabolism include nicotinic acid (niacin), acipimox, high-dose fish oils, antioxidants and policosanol, whilst those in development include microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP) inhibitors, acylcoenzyme A: cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) inhibitors, gemcabene, lifibrol, pantothenic acid analogues, nicotinic acid-receptor agonists, anti-inflammatory agents (such as Lp-PLA(2) antagonists and AGI1067) and functional oils. Current agents that affect nuclear receptors include PPAR-alpha and -gamma agonists, while in development are newer PPAR-alpha, -gamma and -delta agonists, as well as dual PPAR-alpha/gamma and 'pan' PPAR-alpha/gamma/delta agonists. Liver X receptor (LXR), farnesoid X receptor (FXR) and sterol-regulatory element binding protein (SREBP) are also nuclear receptor targets of investigational agents. Agents in development also may affect high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) blood levels or flux and include cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) inhibitors (such as torcetrapib), CETP vaccines, various HDL 'therapies' and upregulators of ATP-binding cassette transporter (ABC) A1, lecithin cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) and scavenger receptor class B Type 1 (SRB1), as well as synthetic apolipoprotein (Apo)E-related peptides. Fixed-dose combination lipid-altering drugs are currently available such as extended-release niacin/lovastatin, whilst atorvastatin/amlodipine, ezetimibe/simvastatin, atorvastatin/CETP inhibitor, statin/PPAR agonist, extended-release niacin/simvastatin and pravastatin/aspirin are under development. Finally, current and future lipid-altering drugs may include anti-obesity agents which could favourably affect lipid levels.

Corn fiber oil lowers plasma cholesterol by altering hepatic cholesterol metabolism and up-regulating LDL receptors in guinea pigs.

To evaluate some of the mechanisms involved in the hypocholesterolemic effects of corn fiber oil (CFO), male Hartley guinea pigs were fed diets containing increasing doses of CFO [0 (control), 5, 10 or 15 g/100 g]. Total fat was adjusted to 15 g/100 g in all diets with regular corn oil. Diets contained 0.25 g/100 g cholesterol. A positive control group (LC) with low dietary cholesterol (0.04 g/100 g) was also included. Plasma LDL cholesterol concentrations were 32, 55 and 57% (P < 0.0005) lower with increasing doses of CFO. Compared with controls, intake of CFO resulted in 27-32% lower hepatic microsomal cholesterol (P < 0.0001), the regulatory pool of LDL receptor (LDL-R) expression. CFO intake resulted in favorable plasma and hepatic cholesterol concentrations, similar to those in guinea pigs fed the LC diet. Hepatic cholesterol 7alpha-hydroxylase (CYP7) activity was approximately 88% higher in guinea pigs fed the two higher dosages of CFO (P < 0.05). In parallel, CYP7 mRNA abundance was approximately 88% higher in guinea pigs fed all three CFO diets. CFO treatment also induced hepatic LDLR mRNA by 66-150% with significant differences at the highest CFO dose. These results suggest that CFO, as a result of decreased bile acid absorption, increased mRNA abundance and activity of CYP7. Because hepatic cholesterol is the substrate for CYP7, a lowering of cholesterol concentrations in the total and microsomal pools was observed. As a response to the depleted microsomal free cholesterol pool, the LDL receptor was up-regulated, drawing more cholesterol from plasma, thus leading to the observed decrease in plasma LDL cholesterol concentrations.

Protective effects of Saiko-ka-ryukotsu-borei-to (Chai-Hu-Jia-Long-Gu-Mu-Li-Tang) against atherosclerosis in Kurosawa and Kusanagi-hypercholesterolemic (KHC) rabbits.

We investigated the protective effects of the traditional Japanese herbal medicine Saiko-ka-ryukotsu-borei-to (Chai-Hu-Jia-Long-Gu-Mu-Li-Tang in Chinese) (SRBT) against hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerotic lesions. We focused on atherosclerosis using female heterozygous Kurosawa and Kusanagi-hypercholesterolemic (KHC) rabbits. The total plasma cholesterol levels increased for up to 12 weeks after beginning a diet containing 0.1% cholesterol and then reached a plateau of about 600 mg dl(-1). When SRBT was administered at a dose of 1.0 g kg(-1)per day for 24 weeks, total plasma cholesterol levels were significantly decreased after 20-24 weeks. On the other hand, pravastatin at a dose of 10 mg kg(-1)per day produced a significant decrease in total plasma cholesterol levels from 4 to 24 weeks (about 105-130 mg dl(-1)). Moreover, 1.0 g kg(-1)per day of SRBT significantly decreased plasma low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels but did not change either very low density lipoprotein (VLDL), or high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels. Animals that received pravastatin had significantly decreased LDL cholesterol levels and VLDL cholesterol levels after 8 weeks and at 24 weeks. We also examined the expression of apoB, E and LDL receptor mRNA levels in the liver at 24 weeks after beginning the administration of 1.0 g kg(-1)per day of SRBT. Both apoE and LDL receptor mRNA levels were significantly increased compared with those in rabbits receiving the 0.1% cholesterol diet. SRBT at a dose of 1.0 g kg(-1)per day significantly depressed the intimal surface area of the thoracic aortae involved with atheromatous plaques. The present results suggest that SRBT may protect against hypercholesterolemia and atheromatous lesions by affecting apoE and LDL receptor mRNA gene expression in the liver.

Low density lipoprotein receptor mRNA in rat liver is affected by resistant starch of beans.

The effects of resistant starches of beans on serum cholesterol and hepatic low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor mRNA in rats were investigated. Rats were fed a cholesterol-free diet with 150 g/kg corn starch (CS), 150 g/kg adzuki (Vigna angularis) starch (AS), 150 g/kg kintoki (Phaseolus vulgaris, variety) starch (KS), or 150 g/kg tebou (P. vulgaris, variety) starch (TS) for 4 wk. There were no significant differences in body weight among groups through the experimental period. The liver weight in the CS group was 1.1-1.2 times higher than that in the AS, KS, and TS groups. The cecum weight in the TS was 1.4 times higher than that in the CS group, and the cecal pH in the CS group was significantly higher than in the other groups. The serum total cholesterol, very low density lipoprotein + intermediate density lipoprotein + LDL-cholesterol and high density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol concentrations in the bean starch groups were significantly lower than those in the CS group through the feeding period. The total cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol ratio in the bean starch groups was also significantly lower than that in the CS group at the end of the 4-wk feeding period. The hepatic cholesterol concentration in the TS group was significantly higher than in the CS group at the end of the 4-wk feeding period. The relative quantity of hepatic apo B mRNA in the AS group was 1.2 times higher than that in the CS group, and the hepatic LDL receptor mRNA levels in the AS and TS groups were 1.8-2.0 times higher than that in the CS group. The results of this study demonstrate that AS, KS, and TS lowered the serum total cholesterol level by enhancing the hepatic LDL receptor mRNA level.

The effects of N-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation on the lipid composition and atherogenesis in mouse models of atherosclerosis.

Despite numerous studies, the precise role of dietary n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis remains controversial. It has been shown that feeding an n-6-enriched diet resulted in decreased atherosclerosis in African green monkeys and was associated with a reduction in LDL levels. However, other authors reported that n-6 supplementation increased the oxidative stress and the susceptibility of LDL to undergo in vitro oxidation, thus potentially enhancing atherosclerosis. The present study was designed to investigate the effect of dietary supplementation of n-6 polyunsaturated fats (safflower oil), as compared with a saturated fat-rich diet (Paigen), on the blood lipid profile and atherosclerosis in two mouse models. In the first experiment, female C57BL/6 mice (n=23-30 per group) were fed a cholate containing Paigen diet, a safflower oil-rich diet (with cholate), or normal chow for 15 weeks. No significant differences between the high fat diet groups were evident with respect to total cholesterol, LDL, HDL or triglyceride levels. The extent of aortic sinus fatty streaks did not differ significantly between the two groups. In the second experiment, LDL-receptor-deficient (LDL-RD) mice (n=20-30 per group) were randomized into similar dietary regimens. Mice consuming a safflower oil-enriched diet developed significantly less atherosclerosis, in comparison with Paigen diet-fed mice. A reduction in LDL levels, although not of a similar magnitude as the reduction in atherosclerosis, was evident in the safflower oil-fed mice when compared to the Paigen diet-fed littermates. In both mouse models of atherosclerosis, LDL isolated from the plasma of mice on the n-6 polyunsaturated diet was rendered slightly more susceptible to oxidation in vitro, as indicated by a shorter lag period for diene formation. Thus, the effects of n-6 fatty acids on the lipoprotein composition and other potential influences may have contributed to the anti-atherogenic effect in the LDL-RD mouse model.

Long-term intake of soy protein improves blood lipid profiles and increases mononuclear cell low-density-lipoprotein receptor messenger RNA in hypercholesterolemic, postmenopausal women.

The long-term clinical effects of soy protein containing various amounts of isoflavones on lipoproteins, mononuclear cell LDL receptor messenger RNA concentrations, and other selected cardiovascular risk factors are not well known. Sixty-six hypercholesterolemic, free-living, postmenopausal women were investigated during a 6-mo parallel-group, double-blind trial with 3 interventions. After a control period of 14 d, all subjects were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 dietary groups (all with 40 g protein): a National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Step 1 diet with protein from casein and nonfat dry milk (control), an NCEP Step 1 diet with protein from isolated soy protein containing moderate amounts of isoflavones (ISP56), or an NCEP Step 1 diet with protein from isolated soy protein containing high amounts of isoflavones (ISP90). Non-HDL cholesterol in both the ISP56 and ISP90 groups was reduced compared with the control group (P < 0.05), whereas total cholesterol was not changed. HDL cholesterol increased in both the ISP56 and ISP90 groups (P < 0.05), whereas the ratio of total to HDL cholesterol decreased significantly in both groups compared with the control (P < 0.05). Mononuclear cell LDL receptor messenger RNA concentrations increased in subjects consuming ISP56 or ISP90 compared with the control (P < 0.05). These results indicate that soy protein, with different amounts of isoflavones, may decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease via improved blood lipid profiles, and that the mechanism by which apolipoprotein B-containing lipoproteins were depressed may be via alterations in LDL receptor quantity or activity.

Dietary fat saturation effects on low-density-lipoprotein concentrations and metabolism in various animal models.

Saturated vegetable oils (coconut, palm, and palm kernel oil) and fats (butter and lard) are hypercholesterolemic relative to monounsaturated and polyunsaturated vegetable oils. The increase in plasma low-density-lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) concentrations associated with consumption of saturated vegetable oils and fats is largely explained by a decrease in hepatic LDL receptor activity and an increase in the LDL-C production rate. Hepatic LDL receptor activity may be regulated by the messenger RNA concentration of the LDL receptor. The decrease in hepatic LDL receptor activity with saturated fat feeding is associated with decreased hepatic sterol O-acyltransferase activity and, therefore, a reduced inert pool of cholesteryl ester. A putative regulatory pool of cholesterol is increased with saturated fat feeding and suppresses LDL receptor activity, possibly through hepatic messenger RNA regulation. For most studies, an independent effect of a vegetable oil or fat could not be ascertained because there was no neutral control and at least two of the test oils or fats were varied. Animal data for the effects of individual fatty acids on plasma LDL-C concentrations and metabolism are sparse. The evidence suggests that caproic acid (6:0), caprylic acid (8:0), and capric acid (10:0) are neutral with respect to their LDL-C-raising properties and their ability to modulate LDL metabolism. Lauric acid (12:0), myristic acid (14:0), and palmitic acid (16:0) are approximately equivalent in their LDL-C-raising potential by reducing hepatic LDL receptor activity and increasing the LDL-C production rate, apparently via modulation of sterol O-acyltransferase activity. Stearic acid (18:0) appears to be neutral in its LDL-C-raising potential and how it affects LDL metabolism.