Abstract
BackgroundHyperlipidemia is a major component of metabolic syndrome, and often predicts cardiovascular diseases. We developed a new therapeutic agent berberine compounds (BC), consisting of berberine, oryzanol and vitamin B6, and determined their anti-hyperlipidemia activity and underlying mechanisms.MethodsMale Wistar rats were fed a high fat diet (HFD) to induce hyperlipidemia, and then given BC orally for 4 weeks. Body weight and food intake were recorded weekly, and lipid profiles in serum were determined biochemically. Metabolites in serum, urine, liver and feces were analyzed by GC–MS, and the structure of microbiota was determined by 16S rDNA sequencing.ResultsLipid lowering was observed in the hyperlipidemic rats upon BC treatment without apparent adverse side effects. Metabolomics analysis indicated that the BC treatment resulted in increased pyruvic acid, serotonin, and ketogenic and glycogenic amino acid levels in the serum, increased pyridoxine and 4-pyridoxic acid in the urine, decreased hypotaurine and methionine in the liver, and increased putrescine and decreased deoxycholate and lithocholate in feces. The BC treatment also resulted in an enrichment of beneficial bacteria (e.g. Bacteroides, Blautia) and a decrease in Escherichia.ConclusionsThe lipid lowering effect of BC treatment in hyperlipidemic rats is associated with a global change in the metabolism of lipids, carbohydrates and amino acids, as well as the structure of microbiota.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12967-016-0987-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Highlights
Hyperlipidemia is a major component of metabolic syndrome, and often predicts cardiovascular diseases
The serum total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) concentrations were increased whereas high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) concentration decreased as compared to chow diet controls (Additional file 1: Figure S1)
A trend of increase in serum TG and free fatty acids (FFAs) was observed in high fat diet (HFD)-fed group, the difference was statistically insignificant
Summary
Hyperlipidemia is a major component of metabolic syndrome, and often predicts cardiovascular diseases. We developed a new therapeutic agent berberine compounds (BC), consisting of berberine, oryzanol and vitamin B6, and determined their anti-hyperlipidemia activity and underlying mechanisms. Li et al J Transl Med (2016) 14:237 anti-microbial medicine, possesses an anti-hyperlipidemic potential [7, 8] Both pre-clinical and clinical studies have demonstrated beneficial effects of BBR in the management of hyperlipidemia [9, 10]. Oryzanol is a particular bioactive compound found in rice bran that has been shown to exert an effect on lipid metabolism [13,14,15]. Oryzanol and vitamin B6 appear to exert an effect on metabolic pathways that are shared with BBR [14,15,16]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
