Pleurotus Ostreatus Polyphenols Extract Based Diets Enhanced Hepatic Cholesterol Metabolism Related Gene Expression in Weaned Rabbits

Abstract

Mycelium of oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) contain active flavonoids that have antioxidant and suppressive cholesterolemic effects. This study was conducted to explore the mechanism and effects of dietary Pleurotus ostreatus phenolic supplementation on levels of cellular cholesterol deposition and metabolism in weaned rabbits. Twenty four (24) weaned rabbits were randomly divided into three groups with eight (8) replicates per group in a complete randomized design experiment. Rabbits were fed control diet (basal) and/or a control diet supplemented with 450 mg/kg or 900 mg/kg P. ostreatus phenolic extracts (POPE) for seven weeks. Blood and liver samples were collected to determine serum adiponectin and hepatic cholesterolic related genes. 3-hydroxyl-3 methyl-glutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMG-CoAR) and cholesterol 7 α-hydroxylase (CTP7A1) mRNA levels and sterol regulatory element binding transcription factor 1(SREBF1) were down regulated while, Low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDL-R) and sterol co enzyme A desaturase gene (SCD) were up regulated to decrease fat mass, serum triglycerides (TG), serum total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels in rabbits on 450 and 900mg/kg P. ostreatus phenolic extract supplementation diets. Serum adiponectin concentration and High density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) increased from 22.5 to 32.09 and 1.21 to 1.56 mmol/L, respectively for control and POPE based diets. The results suggested that dietary supplementation of P. ostreatus extract at 900 mg/ kg diets could improve lipid metabolism in rabbits by regulating hepatic cholesterol metabolism gene expression and optimizing fatty acid uptake and synthesis.