Cholesterol-lowering Properties Research Articles

In vitro studies on the mechanisms exerted by a mixture of lactobacillus plantarum alone or combined with berberine and fermented red rice on cholesterol homeostasis

Background and Aims : Nutraceuticals represent a new opportunity in reducing mild-moderate cholesterolemia, even in statin-intolerant patients. Lactobacillus plantarum (LP) strains CECT7527-CECT7528-CECT7529 (AB-LIFE), isolated from human intestine, demonstrated cholesterol-lowering properties both in animal and human studies.

Chlorophyll Extraction from Wood Plants at Elevated Temperatures

Tea is one of the popular beverages consuming more than 3.5 billion cups per day [1-3] due to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, cholesterol-lowering, antimicrobial, neuroprotective and anticarcinogenic properties

Statins in Pregnancy: Can We Justify Early Treatment of Reproductive Aged Women?

Statins are the pillar of secondary prevention in reducing cardiovascular disease in high-risk adults. However, statin discontinuation is the standard recommendation in pregnant and lactating patients. This review evaluates whether we can justify the early treatment of reproductive aged women with statin therapy. Statins have several potential benefits including its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-thrombogenic properties that may prevent the worsening of atherosclerosis in high-risk women. Nevertheless, most studies on statins and teratogenicity have a limited sample size and the effects of long-term statin use on fetal and neonatal health remain unknown. Not all statins may be safe and pravastatin's cholesterol-lowering properties may be too limited to provide much maternal benefit in pregnancy. While emerging evidence supports the use of pravastatin in pregnancy, we need to better assess the risk of early cardiovascular disease and acute progression of atherosclerosis before and during pregnancy to better understand the risks and benefits of statin use.

Characterization of New Probiotic Isolates from Fermented Ajwa Dates of Madinah and Their Anti-Inflammatory Potential

A total of 20 Lactobacillus strains isolated from fermented dates were tested for their probiotic potential by comparing their pH stability, resistance to low pH, and ability to tolerate bile salts. Out of 20 strains, 3 strains named as Lactobacillus pentosus KAU001, Lactiplantibacillus pentosus KAU002, and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum KAU003 had a high tolerance of acids and bile salts and the capability to adhere to the intestinal wall. In addition, the three isolates were tested for their anti-oxidation, anti-glucosidase inhibition, cholesterol-lowering, and anti-inflammation properties. Among them, strain KAU001 and KAU002 inhibited α-glucosidase, lowered cholesterol level, inhibited nitric oxide production, and showed a higher anti-oxidative ability that was significantly better than strain KAU003. Both strains also significantly inhibited the release of inflammatory mediators such as TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-10 induced by LPS on RAW 264.7 macrophages (p < 0.001). The results indicated that KAU001 and KAU002 have the highest probiotic potential, potentially modulating metabolic health and reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines in response to allergic reactions.

Moringa oleifera extract protects against rhabdomyolysis‐induced acute kidney injury

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a life‐threatening abrupt disruption in kidney function. The pathophysiological mechanisms of AKI are poorly understood. Also, there are currently no effective drugs to treat AKI. Phytochemicals from Moringa oleifera plants exhibit antihypertensive, cholesterol‐lowering, diuretic, and hepatoprotective properties. This study aims to determine if Moringa oleifera extract can ameliorate rhabdomyolysis‐induced AKI and its possible mechanisms of action.Experimental rats were randomly divided into five groups. Rhabdomyolysis was induced by intramuscular glycerol injection. Group A received distilled water only. Group B received distilled water, followed by 50% glycerol on the 8th day. Group C and D received 50 and 100 mg/kg methanol stem extract of Moringa oleifera (orally) for seven days and glycerol on the 8th day. Group E received 100 mg/kg of methanol stem extract of Moringa oleifera alone for seven days and normal saline on the 8th day. Necropsy was performed 24 h after glycerol treatment. Blood and kidneys samples were collected for biochemical, histopathological, and immunohistochemical analyses.Significant decreases in superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione S‐transferase, glutathione, protein thiols, and non‐protein thiols were observed in animals treated with only glycerol when compared with the control groups. Glycerol treatment also caused a significant increase in markers of AKI and inflammation, including creatinine, nitric oxide, urea, hydrogen peroxide, malondialdehyde, protein carbonyl, and advanced oxidative protein products. Immunohistochemical staining of renal NF‐ƙβ and KIM‐1 was also elevated in glycerol‐treated rats. Treatment with methanol stem bark extract of Moringa oleifera ameliorated glycerol‐induced oxidative stress, kidney damage, and inflammation.The methanol stem extract of Moringa oleifera alleviated rhabdomyolysis‐induced AKI in rats through its antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory properties.

Curcumin Supplementation Ameliorates Bile Cholesterol Supersaturation in Hamsters by Modulating Gut Microbiota and Cholesterol Absorption.

Curcumin is a polyphenol that has been shown to have prebiotic and cholesterol-lowering properties. This study aimed to investigate the impact of curcumin on bile cholesterol supersaturation and the potential mechanistic role of intestinal microbiota and cholesterol absorption. Male hamsters (n = 8) were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) supplemented with or without curcumin for 12 weeks. Results showed that curcumin significantly decreased cholesterol levels in the serum (from 5.10 to 4.10 mmol/L) and liver (from 64.60 to 47.72 nmol/mg protein) in HFD-fed hamsters and reduced the bile cholesterol saturation index (CSI) from 1.64 to 1.08 due to the beneficial modifications in the concentration of total bile acids (BAs), phospholipids and cholesterol (p < 0.05). Gut microbiota analysis via 16S rRNA sequencing revealed that curcumin modulated gut microbiota, predominantly increasing microbiota associated with BA metabolism and short-chain fatty acid production, which subsequently up-regulated the expression of hepatic cholesterol 7-alpha hydroxylase and increased the synthesis of bile acids (p < 0.05). Furthermore, curcumin significantly down-regulated the expression of intestinal Niemann–Pick C1-like protein 1(NPC1L1) in hamsters and reduced cholesterol absorption in Caco-2 cells (p < 0.05). Our results demonstrate that dietary curcumin has the potential to prevent bile cholesterol supersaturation through modulating the gut microbiota and inhibiting intestinal cholesterol absorption.

Alisol B 23-acetate adjusts bile acid metabolisim via hepatic FXR-BSEP signaling activation to alleviate atherosclerosis

BackgroundPostmenopausal women have a high incidence of atherosclerosis. Phytosterols have been shown to have cholesterol-lowering properties. Alisa B 23-acetate (AB23A) is a biologically active plant sterol isolated from Chinese herbal medicine Alisma. However, the atherosclerosis effect of AB23A after menopause and its possible mechanism have not been reported yet. PurposeTo explore whether AB23A can prevent atherosclerosis by regulating farnesoid X receptor and subsequently increasing fecal bile acid and cholesterol excretion to reduce plasma cholesterol levels. MethodsAortic samples from premenopausal and postmenopausal women with ascending aortic arteriosclerosis were analyzed, and bilateral ovariectomized (OVX) female LDLR−/− mice and free fatty acid (FFA)-treated L02 cells were used to analyze the effect of AB23A supplementation therapy. ResultsAB23A increased fecal cholesterol and bile acids (BAs) excretion dependent on activation of hepatic farnesoid X receptor (FXR) in ovariectomized mice. AB23A inhibited hepatic cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase (CYP7A1) and sterol 12α-hydroxylase (CYP8B1) via inducing small heterodimer partner (SHP) expression. On the other hand, AB23A increased the level of hepatic chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA), and activated the hepatic BSEP signaling. The activation of hepatic FXR-BSEP signaling by AB23A in ovariectomized mice was accompanied by the reduction of liver cholesterol, hepatic lipolysis, and bile acids efflux, and reduced the damage of atherosclerosis. In vitro, AB23A fixed abnormal lipid metabolism in L02 cells and increased the expression of FXR, BSEP and SHP. Moreover, the inhibition and silencing of FXR canceled the regulation of BSEP by AB23A in L02 cells. ConclusionOur results shed light into the mechanisms behind the cholesterol-lowering of AB23A, and increasing FXR-BSEP signaling by AB23A may be a potential postmenopausal atherosclerosis therapy.

Relevance of β-Glucan Molecular Properties on Its Suitability as Health Promoting Bread Ingredient.

The fate of β-glucan (BG) health promoting properties during food production is crucial, but not predictable yet. Therefore, high molar mass BG (hBG) and control BG (cBG) were extracted from two barley varieties, characterized and added to wheat breads at levels of 3% and 6%. Bread quality criteria, carbohydrate contents and BG content and structural properties were determined. Additionally, breads were subjected to an in vitro digestion. The BG content in the chyme, molar mass, molar ratio, viscosity and bile acid retention were determined. The hBG and the cBG decreased loaf volume and increased crumb hardness with increasing BG content. The reduction in BG content during bread making was similar for hBG and cBG, but the molar mass of cBG decreased to a greater extent. As a result, only 10% of cBG entering in vitro digestion were found in the chyme afterwards, while 40% of the ingested hBG were detected. Molar mass reduction was much more severe for cBG compared to hBG. The use of hBG showed higher viscosity and better bile acid retention, indicating cholesterol lowering properties, compared to similar or higher amounts of cBG. These results provide valuable knowledge on the criteria to select BG-rich raw materials for ideal health promoting properties.

Connecting the Dots Between Hypercholesterolemia and Alzheimer's Disease: A Potential Mechanism Based on 27-Hydroxycholesterol.

Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the most common cause of dementia, is a complex and multifactorial disease involving genetic and environmental factors, with hypercholesterolemia considered as one of the risk factors. Numerous epidemiological studies have reported a positive association between AD and serum cholesterol levels, and experimental studies also provide evidence that elevated cholesterol levels accelerate AD pathology. However, the underlying mechanism of hypercholesterolemia accelerating AD pathogenesis is not clear. Here, we review the metabolism of cholesterol in the brain and focus on the role of oxysterols, aiming to reveal the link between hypercholesterolemia and AD. 27-hydroxycholesterol (27-OHC) is the major peripheral oxysterol that flows into the brain, and it affects β-amyloid (Aβ) production and elimination as well as influencing other pathogenic mechanisms of AD. Although the potential link between hypercholesterolemia and AD is well established, cholesterol-lowering drugs show mixed results in improving cognitive function. Nevertheless, drugs that target cholesterol exocytosis and conversion show benefits in improving AD pathology. Herbs and natural compounds with cholesterol-lowering properties also have a potential role in ameliorating cognition. Collectively, hypercholesterolemia is a causative risk factor for AD, and 27-OHC is likely a potential mechanism for hypercholesterolemia to promote AD pathology. Drugs that regulate cholesterol metabolism are probably beneficial for AD, but more research is needed to unravel the mechanisms involved in 27-OHC, which may lead to new therapeutic strategies for AD.

Anti-Obesity Efficacy of Pediococcus acidilactici MNL5 in Canorhabditis elegans Gut Model.

In the present study, thirty two lactic acid bacteria (LAB) were isolated from fermented Indian herbal medicine. In comparison to other strains, MNL5 had stronger bile salt hydrolase (BSH) and cholesterol-lowering properties. Furthermore, it can withstand the extreme conditions found in the GI tract, due to, e.g., pepsin, bile salts, pancreatin, and acids. Pediococcus acidilactici MNL5 was identified as a probiotic candidate after sequencing the 16S rRNA gene. The antibacterial activity of P. acidilactici MNL5 cell-free supernatants (CFS) against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Helicobacter pylori, Bacillus cereus, and Candida albicans was moderate. A Caenorhabditis elegans experiment was also performed to assess the effectiveness of P. acidilactici MNL5 supplementation to increase life span compared to E. coli supplementation (DAF-2 and LIU1 models) (p < 0.05). An immense reduction of the lipid droplets of C. elegans was identified through a fluorescent microscope. The drastic alteration of the expression of fat genes is related to obesity phenotypes. Hence, several paths are evolutionary for C. elegans; the results of our work highlight the nematode as an important model for obesity.

Development of recipes and qualitative characteristics of cereals-based food products

Currently, considerable attention is drawn to oats for its high content of dietary fiber, phytochemicals and nutritional value. The consumption of oats is believed to have various health benefits such as cholesterol-lowering and anti-cancer properties. Recently, oats have also been considered suitable in the diet of celiac patients. Due to their high nutritional value, oat-based food products such as bread, biscuits, probiotic drinks, breakfast cereals, flakes and baby food are gaining more and more popularity. Research and development of oats and oat products can be useful in the fight against various diseases known to mankind. The aim of the work is to obtain functional products with improved properties through the use of oat bran and whole oat flakes. This research focused on the development of oat-based food products with oat bran and whole oatmeal. For this purpose, breakfasts have been developed by replacing wheat flour with various levels of oat bran (30%; 50%; 80%) while oatmeal has been included at various levels (10%; 15%; 20%) in the recipe. The approximate composition of raw materials and products from oats (moisture, ash, fat, fiber, protein, carbohydrates) was analyzed in the work. The enrichment of oat bran and oatmeal increased the fiber and mineral content of both developed products. The addition of oat products did not affect the organoleptic characteristics of the product.

In-vitro EVALUATION OF THE Α-GLUCOSIDASE INHIBITORY, ANTI-CHOLESTEROL, AND DPPH SCAVENGING POTENTIAL OF LEAVE EXTRACTS OF Rhaphidophora pinnata

Rhaphidophora pinnata (Lf) Schott leaves include alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids, tannins, steroids/triterpenoids, and glycosides, all of which are secondary metabolites with antioxidant, cholesterol-lowering, and anti-diabetic properties. Using n-hexane, ethyl acetate, and ethanol as solvents, layered percolation was used to extract. Anti-cholesterol activity using the Lieberman-Burchard Test and the antioxidant DPPH method (1,1-diphenyl-2-picryil hidrazin). The absorbance of antioxidant, antidiabetic, and anti-cholesterol activity was measured at a maximum wavelength of 516, 400, and 626 nm. The results of measurements of antioxidant activity, extracts of n-hexane, ethyl acetate, and ethanol of Rhaphidophora pinnata leaves obtained values of 516, 400, and 626 nm. The results of measurements of antioxidant activity, extracts of n-hexane, ethyl acetate, and ethanol of Rhaphidophora pinnata leaves obtained IC50 values of 74.2413; 27.8658; and 396,9975 µg/ml. The anti-cholesterol activity of the n-hexane extract with a concentration of 300 µg/ml was able to reduce cholesterol by 29.3395 % and ethyl acetate extract with a concentration of 35 µg/ml was 65.2030 %. Meanwhile, the ethanol extract of 100 µg/ml was 25.1489 %. Comparisons of fenofibrate and simvastatin with a concentration of 22.5 µg/ml of 65.8890 % and 76.3781 %. The results of the measurement of the antidiabetic activity of the extracts of n-hexane, ethyl acetate, and ethanol from the leaves of Rhaphidophora pinnata, aromas, and quercetin with IC50 values of 546.1511; 26.6306; 50.1951; 9.6862 and 2.4850 µg/ml. Ethyl acetate extract of Rhaphidophora pinnata leaves has an anti-cholesterol activity that is almost the same as fenofibrate at a concentration of 35 µg/ml.

Screening of isolated potential probiotic lactic acid bacteria from Sichuan pickle for cholesterol lowering property and triglycerides lowering activity

The aim of this study was to isolate lactic acid bacteria (LAB) from Sichuan pickle and to assess their probiotic potential. Total of 66 LAB were isolated from 2 types of Sichuan pickle based on their morphological, physiological, biochemical, and genotypic characteristics. Then, 6 strains (BH6, BH9, BH18, BH46, BH48, BH59) were selected as candidates for further studies. The in vitro experiment showed that the cholesterol degradation rate of 4 strains BH6, BH9, BH59 exceeded 60%. And the triglyceride degradation rate of 3 strains BH6, BH9, BH18 was more than 17%. Out of 6 tested LAB strains, most of them (BH6, BH9, BH18, BH48, BH59) exhibited moderate to high survivability (59%-90%) under high concentration of bile salt (3%) and their survival rate was 72%-95% (BH6,BH18,BH46,BH48,BH59) at low pH conditions. The in vitro experiment showed that all LAB strains inhibited the growth of tested pathogenic microorganisms. Based on the results of presently in vitro experiments, it was concluded that the BH6 isolate had better cholesterol lowering ability (65.36%), triglyceride degradation ability (18.97%), bile salt tolerance and bacteriostatic ability. The potential LAB strain, BH6 was identified as Lactobacillus plantarum by 16S rRNA sequencing. In conclusion, the strain BH6 screened from Sichuan pickle had good ability to degrade cholesterol and triglyceride; and it had better tolerance to acid and bile salt; which also had good bacteriostatic ability. Therefor the strain BH6 has the potential to be used as edible probiotics.

Potential Role of African Fermented Indigenous Vegetables in Maternal and Child Nutrition in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Hunger and malnutrition continue to affect Africa especially the vulnerable children and women in reproductive age. However, Africa has indigenous foods and associated traditional technologies that can contribute to alleviation of hunger, malnutrition, and communicable and noncommunicable diseases. The importance of African indigenous vegetables is undeniable, only that they are season-linked and considered as “food for poor” despite their high nutritional contents. The utilization of African indigenous vegetables (AIVs) is hindered by postharvest losses and antinutrients affecting the bioavailability of nutrients. In Africa, fermentation is among the oldest food processing technologies with long history of safe use. Apart from extending shelf life and improving food organoleptic properties, fermentation of African indigenous vegetables (AIVs) is known to improve food nutritional values such as proteins, minerals, vitamins, and other beneficial phytochemicals. It can also increase bioavailability of various vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals and increase synthesis of vital blood pressure regulators thus protecting against cardiovascular diseases and cancer and further helping fight certain malnutrition deficiencies. Some lactic acid bacteria (LAB) involved in food fermentation are known to produce exopolysaccharides with cholesterol-lowering, immunomodulator, antioxidant, and anticancer properties. Fermented foods (vegetables) are superior in quality and safety since most microorganisms involved in fermentation are good starter cultures that can inhibit the growth of foodborne pathogens and detoxify harmful compounds in foods. Thus, fermented foods can boost growth and well-being in children and women due to their higher nutritional contents. Therefore, fermentation of AIVs can contribute to the attainment of food and nutrition security especially among women and children who rely on these vegetables as a staple source of micronutrients and income. These benefits have a positive impact on the implementation of the second sustainable development goals and African Union agenda 2063. This review is aimed at shedding light on the potential of African fermented indigenous vegetables in combating maternal and child malnutrition in Sub-Sahara Africa.

Flaxseed-derived peptide, IPPF, inhibits intestinal cholesterol absorption in Caco-2 cells and hepatic cholesterol synthesis in HepG2 cells.

Flaxseed peptides reduced serum cholesterol levels in Sprague-Dawley rats fed with a high-cholesterol diet. However, the mechanism of this action remains unclear. Flaxseed-hydrolyzed proteins were separated through ultrafiltration. The fifth fraction (FP5 , ≤ 1kDa) had the highest cholesterol micelle solubility inhibition rate (CMSR) of 72.39% among the other fractions. Eleven peptides were identified from FP5 . Ile-Pro-Pro-Phe (IPPF), which had the highest CMSR of 93.47%, was selected for further analyses. IPPF substantially reduced the cholesterol transported content in Caco-2 cells and the total cholesterol content in HepG2 cells. Moreover, IPPF modulated the protein levels of NCP1L1 and ABCG5/8 (cholesterol transporters) in Caco-2 cells and reduced the mRNA levels of Srebp-2 and Hmgcr (cholesterol synthesis enzymes) in HepG2 cells. IPPF inhibits cholesterol intestinal absorption by modulating the cholesterol transporters expression and reduces hepatic cholesterol synthesis by inhibiting the SREBP2-regulated mevalonate pathway. IPPF is a new food-derived cholesterol-lowering nutritional supplement. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: We isolated active peptides with cholesterol-lowering properties from flaxseed protein, a by-product of industrial oil production, which greatly improved the economic and medicinal value of flaxseed protein. According to our research, IPPF can be used as a new food-derived type of cholesterol intestinal absorption inhibitor to reduce dietary cholesterol absorption and cholesterol synthesis inhibitor (same pharmacological mechanism as statins). IPPF provide a nutritional therapy component for hypercholesterolemia and prevent atherosclerosis. Our research provides theoretical basis for development and utilization of new nutritional supplements and plant proteins.

Concentrated Buffalo Whey as Substrate for Probiotic Cultures and as Source of Bioactive Ingredients: A Local Circular Economy Approach towards Reuse of Wastewaters

Waste reduction and reuse is a crucial target of current research efforts. In this respect, the present study was focused on providing an example of local investment in a simple process configuration that converts whey into value-added compounds and allows recovery of a clean water stream. In particular, buffalo milk whey obtained during mozzarella manufacturing was ultrafiltered in-house on spiral membrane modules (20 kDa), and the two obtained fractions, namely the retentate and the permeate, provided by the dairy factory, were further processed during this work. The use of an additional nanofiltration step allowed the recovery of high-quality water to be reused in the production cycle (machine rinsing water within the facility) and/or in agriculture, also reducing disposal costs and the environmental impact. The ultrafiltration retentate, on the other hand, was spray-dried and the powder obtained was used as the main substrate for the cultivation of Lactobacillus fermentum, a widely studied probiotic with anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory and cholesterol-lowering properties. In addition, the same sample was tested in vitro on a human keratinocytes model. Resuspended concentrated whey powder improved cell reparation rate in scratch assays, assisted through time-lapse video-microscopy. Overall these data support the potential of buffalo whey as a source of biologically active components and recyclable water in the frame of a local circular economy approach.

Distigmasterol-Modified Acylglycerols as New Structured Lipids-Synthesis, Identification and Cytotoxicity.

Plant sterols, also referred as phytosterols, have been known as bioactive compounds which have cholesterol-lowering properties in human blood. It has been established that a diet rich in plant sterols or their esters alleviates cardiovascular diseases (CVD), and also may inhibit breast, colon and lung carcinogenesis. Phytosterols, in their free and esterified forms, are prone to thermo-oxidative degradation, where time and temperature affect the level of degradation. Looking for new derivatives of phytosterols with high thermo-oxidative stability for application in foods, our idea was to obtain novel structured acylglycerols in which two fatty acid parts are replaced by stigmasterol residues. In this work, asymmetric (1,2- and 2,3-) distigmasterol-modified acylglycerols (dStigMAs) were synthesized by the covalent attachment of stigmasterol residues to sn-1 and sn-2 or sn-2 and sn-3 positions of 3-palmitoyl-sn-glycerol or 1-oleoyl-sn-glycerol, respectively, using a succinate or carbonate linker. The chemical structures of the synthesized compounds were identified by NMR, HR-MS, and IR data. Moreover, the cytotoxicity of the obtained compounds was determined. The dStigMAs possessing a carbonate linker showed potent cytotoxicity to cells isolated from the small intestine and colon epithelium and liver, whereas the opposite results were obtained for compounds containing a succinate linker.

Lactobacillus johnsonii BFE6154 Ameliorates Diet-Induced Hypercholesterolemia.

The functional characteristics of Lactobacillus johnsonii BFE6154, first isolated from Maasai traditional fermented milk, were previously identified in vitro, but its cholesterol-lowering properties have not been verified yet. In this study, we investigated the effect of L. johnsonii BFE6154 on cholesterol regulation and the mode of action. Stimulation of Caco-2 intestinal epithelial cells with L. johnsonii BFE6154 downregulated the gene expression of Niemann-Pick C1-like 1 (NPC1L1) through the activation of liver X receptor (LXR). Also, stimulation of HepG2 cells with the metabolites produced by L. johnsonii BFE6154 revealed an increase in the gene expression of low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR). Oral administration of L. johnsonii BFE6154 in mice receiving a high-fat and high-cholesterol diet (HFHCD), reduced total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL) and increased high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL) in the blood, compared to the control. Diet-induced hypercholesterolemic mice receiving L. johnsonii BFE6154 showed a suppression of cholesterol absorption under the control of NPC1L1 in the intestine. Furthermore, L. johnsonii BFE6154 consumption ameliorated the hepatic cholesterol level and LDLR expression, which was reduced by HFHCD. These molecular modulations led to the increase of cholesterol excretion and the decrease of cholesterol levels in the feces and liver, respectively. Taken together, these results suggest that L. johnsonii BFE6154 may protect against diet-induced hypercholesterolemia through the regulation of cholesterol metabolism in the intestine and liver.

Defining the Cholesterol Lowering Mechanism of Bergamot (Citrus bergamia) Extract in HepG2 and Caco-2 Cells.

Bergamot, a Mediterranean citrus fruit native to southern Italy, has been reported to have cholesterol-lowering properties; however, the mechanism of action is not well understood. Due to structural similarities with 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase (HMGCR) inhibitors, it has been proposed that the phenolic compounds in bergamot may also inhibit HMGCR. Statins are widely used for their cholesterol-lowering properties; however, they are not universally well tolerated, suggesting there is a need to identify novel cholesterol-lowering strategies. In the present study, we investigated bergamot fruit extract (BFE) and its principal components (neoeriocitrin, naringin, neohesperidin, melitidin, and brutieridin) for their ability to regulate cholesterol levels in HepG2 and Caco-2 cells. BFE at increasing concentrations decreased the levels of total and free cholesterol in HepG2 cells. BFE and its constituents did not directly inhibit HMGCR activity. However, BFE and neohesperidin decreased HMGCR levels in HepG2 cells, suggesting that neohesperidin and BFE may downregulate HMGCR expression. An increase in AMP-kinase phosphorylation was observed in BFE and neohesperidin-treated cells. In Caco-2 cells, brutieridin exhibited a significant reduction in cholesterol uptake and decreased the level of Niemann-Pick C1 Like 1, an important cholesterol transporter. Taken together, our data suggest that the cholesterol-lowering activity of bergamot is distinct from statins. We hypothesize that BFE and its principal constituents lower cholesterol by inhibiting cholesterol synthesis and absorption.

Characterization and Antioxidant Activity of Released Exopolysaccharide from Potential Probiotic Leuconostoc mesenteroides LM187.

A released exopolysaccharide (rEPS)-producing strain (LM187) with good acid resistance, bile salt resistance, and cholesterol-lowering properties was isolated from Sichuan paocai and identified as Leuconostoc mesenteroides subsp. mesenteroides. The purified rEPS, designated as rEPS414, had a uniform molecular weight of 7.757 × 105 Da. Analysis of the monosaccharide composition revealed that the molecule was mainly composed of glucose. The Fourier transform-infrared spectrum showed that rEPS414 contained both α-type and β-type glycosidic bonds. 1H and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectra analysis showed that the purified rEPS contained arabinose, galactose, and rhamnose, but less uronic acid. Scanning electron microscopy demonstrated that the exopolysaccharide displayed a large number of scattered, fluffy, porous cellular network flake structures. In addition, rEPS414 exhibited strong in vitro antioxidant activity. These results showed that strain LM187 and its rEPS are promising probiotics with broad prospects in industry.