• Molecules and Cells
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.116-125
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• 2021

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the most common cause of death in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and dyslipidemia is considered at least partially responsible for the increased CVD risk in NAFLD patients. The aim of the present study is to understand how hepatic de novo lipogenesis influences hepatic cholesterol content as well as its effects on the plasma lipid levels. Hepatic lipogenesis was induced in mice by feeding a fat-free/high-sucrose (FF/HS) diet and the metabolic pathways associated with cholesterol were then analyzed. Both liver triglyceride and cholesterol contents were significantly increased in mice fed an FF/HS diet. Activation of fatty acid synthesis driven by the activation of sterol regulatory element binding protein (SREBP)-1c resulted in the increased liver triglycerides. The augmented cholesterol content in the liver could not be explained by an increased cholesterol synthesis, which was decreased by the FF/HS diet. HMG-CoA reductase protein level was decreased in mice fed an FF/HS diet. We found that the liver retained more cholesterol through a reduced excretion of bile acids, a reduced fecal cholesterol excretion, and an increased cholesterol uptake from plasma lipoproteins. Very low-density lipoproteintriglyceride and -cholesterol secretion were increased in mice fed an FF/HS diet, which led to hypertriglyceridemia and hypercholesterolemia in Ldlr-/- mice, a model that exhibits a more human like lipoprotein profile. These findings suggest that dietary cholesterol intake and cholesterol synthesis rates cannot only explain the hypercholesterolemia associated with NAFLD, and that the control of fatty acid synthesis should be considered for the management of dyslipidemia.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.865-870
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• 2009

In this study, we have attempted to understand the effects of taurine on serum and liver concentrations of cholesterol and triglycerides in broiler chickens and mice in the post-absorptive state, and on in vitro protein synthesis in the livers of broiler chickens and laying hens, as well as the effects of taurine on in vivo protein synthesis in the liver of mice. The experimental animals were subjected to 24 h of starvation in order to perpetuate a post-absorptive state. Serum concentrations of high density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides were significantly (p<0.05) higher in the taurine groups than in the controls in both the broilers and the mice. However, taurine resulted in a significant (p<0.05) reduction in liver concentrations of total cholesterol and triglycerides, relative to what was seen in the control groups of both animals. Taurine stimulated the in vitro synthesis of 57-kDa, 40-kDa and 23-kDa proteins in the liver of broilers, but inhibited the in vitro synthesis of 54-kDa, 37-kDa and 24-kDa proteins. Taurine in the liver of laying hens exerted effects on in vitro protein synthesis, with the exception of the 26-kDa protein which was not detected in broiler liver, but was inhibited by taurine in the liver of laying hens. Unlike the findings regarding in vitro protein synthesis in the liver of broilers or laying hens, taurine appeared to stimulate the synthesis of only two proteins, a 47-kDa and a 40-kDa protein, in the liver of mice. Overall, theses findings indicate that taurine treatment results in a reduction in cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations, and also affects protein synthesis in the livers of broilers, laying hens, and mice.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.580-593
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• 1992

Cholesterol have many essential functions as a component of cellular and subcellular membranes, metabolic precursor of bile acids and steroid hormones, and obligatory part of the metabolic systems involved in DNA synthesis and cell division. These essential funtions demand a continuous and appropriate supply of cholesterol to the tissues. Body cholesterol pool is maintained by the balance of acquirement from diets, de novo synthesis, and excretion either as bile acids or neutral steroids. In these metabolic process, cholesterol biosynthesis is controlled by the change in the activity of 3-hydroxy-3methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase. Under most physiological or nutritional situations, the activity of this enzyme is adroitly regulated to maintain tissue cholesterol balance. Excess cholesterol accumulation in the cells induces the decrease in the number of LDL-receptor, followed by the increase in the level of serum LDL-cholesterol. Increase in the level of serum cholesterol appears to be an important determinant for the incidence of the coronary heart disease. Dietary intervention may be helpful in alleviating an increase in the level of serum cholesterol or body cholesterol pool.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.272-277
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• 2019

The effects of medium-chain enriched diacylglycerol (MCE-DAG) oil on hepatic cholesterol homeostasis were investigated. HepG2 hepatocytes were treated with either 0.5, 1.0, or $1.5{\mu}g/mL$ of MCE-DAG for 48 h. There was no evidence of cytotoxicity by MCE-DAG up to $1.5{\mu}g/mL$. The level of proteins for cholesterol uptake including CLATHRIN and LDL receptor increased by MCE-DAG in a dose-dependent manner (p<0.05). Furthermore, proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9, an inhibitor of LDLR, was dose-dependently diminished (p<0.05), indicating cholesterol clearance raised. MCE-DAG significantly increased 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase and acetyl-CoA acetyltransferase2 (p<0.05), required for cholesterol synthesis, and their transcriptional regulator sterol regulatory element-binding protein2 (p<0.05). These findings suggest that given conditions of prolonged sterol fasting in the current study activated both hepatic cholesterol synthesis and clearance by MCE-DAG. However, total intracellular level of cholesterol was not altered by MCE-DAG. Taken together, MCE-DAG has the potential to prevent hypercholesterolemia by increasing hepatic cholesterol uptake without affecting intracellular cholesterol level.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.57-63
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• 2007

Leukotrienes (LTs) are produced by several biosynthetic enzymes including cytosolic phospholipase $A_2$ ($cPLA_2$), 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO), and 5-lipoxygenase activating protein (FLAP) in the perinuclear area. In the present study, we showed that pretreatment with methyl-${\beta}$-cyclodextrin (MβCD), a cholesterol-depleting agent, dramatically reduced the synthesis of LTs in response to A23187 in mast cells. A23187-induced LT synthesis was inhibited by pretreatment with M${\beta}$CD, and this effect was reversed when cholesterol was added. In an approach to identifying the $M{\beta}CD$-sensitive protein(s), we observed that FLAP co-localized with flotillin-1, a lipid raft marker protein, in the lipid raft-rich low-density region of sucrose gradients. In addition, electron microscopic analysis revealed that FLAP co-localized with flotillin-1. Together, these results suggest that FLAP is present in cholesterol-rich lipid raft-like domains and that its localization in these domains is critical for LT synthesis.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.8 no.6
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• pp.632-637
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• 2014

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the current study was to investigate the effect of red pericarp glutinous rice rich in polyphenols (Jakwangchalbyeo, red rice) on serum and hepatic levels of cholesterol and hepatic protein expression linked to synthesis and degradation of cholesterol in a hypercholesterolemic mice diet as compared with brown rice. MATERIALS/METHODS: C57BL/6 male mice were randomly divided into four groups (n = 5 each), which were fed different diets for a period of 12 weeks: American Institute of Nutrition (AIN)-93G diet, AIN-93G diet with 2% cholesterol, brown rice with 2% cholesterol, or red rice with 2% cholesterol. RESULT: Consumption of red rice resulted in a significant decrease in serum level of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and hepatic levels of triglyceride and total-cholesterol. Expression of acyl-coenzyme A cholesterol acyltransferase-2 (ACAT-2), sterol regulatory element binding protein-2 (SREBP-2), and 3-hydroxyl-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase was decreased, while expression of phosphorylated adenosine monophosphate activated protein kinase (p-AMPK)/AMPK ratio, cholesterol 7-${\alpha}$-hydroxylase (CYP7a1), and sterol 12-${\alpha}$-hydroxylase (CYP8b1) was increased in mice fed red rice. Brown rice had similar effects on cholesterol metabolism, but the effect of red rice was significantly greater than that of brown rice. CONCLUSIONS: The current study suggested that red rice had a hypocholesterolemic effect by lowering hepatic cholesterol synthesis through ACAT-2, HMG-CoA reductase, and SREBP-2, and by enhancing hepatic cholesterol degradation through CYP7a1 and CYP8b1 in mice fed a hypercholesterolemic diet.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.44 no.12
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• pp.1779-1784
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• 2015

This study was performed to investigate the effects of various garlic extracts on cholesterol synthesis in HepG2 cells. Raw garlic, grilled garlic, and freeze dried garlic were subjected to cold water extraction, and extracts were incubated at room temperature for 1 min or 60 min. The extracts were treated to HepG2 cells for 4 h, and cholesterol synthesis and mRNA expression level of HMG-CoA reductase were investigated. The alliin contents were reduced when garlic was incubated at room temperature for 60 min. Raw garlic extracts showed lower intracellular cholesterol contents compared to that of the control group. However, raw garlic extracts incubated for 60 min showed no differences compared to the control group. Freeze-dried garlic extract showed minimum intracellular triglyceride and cholesterol contents. Relative mRNA expression level of HMG-CoA reductase, a rate-limiting enzyme of cholesterol synthesis, decreased in the garlic extracts. Compared with 60 min, garlic extracts incubated for 1 min showed a reduced level of HMG-CoA reductase mRNA expression. The freeze-dried garlic extract reduced mRNA expression level of HMG-CoA reductase in a dose-dependent manner in cells treated with 5% of 0.2, 0.5, 0.8, 1.0, and 1.5 mg/mL in medium, and the effect was maxed out at dose of 5% garlic extract at 1.0 mg/mL in medium.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.125-129
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• 1999

The influence of dietary cholesterol on phospolipid metabolism in rat liver microsmes was studied in rats fed a diet containing fish oil(FO) or beef tallow (BT). The hepatic phospholipid content decreased wherease gepatic triglyceride and cholesterol increased significantly in both groups after cholestered supplementation. Plasma concentrations of phospholipid and traiglyceride increased with cholesterol supplement in both groups while cholesterol decreased only moderately in the FO group. Dietary cholesterol affected microsomal phosphiolpids in liver ; the proportation of phosphatidylcholine decreased in the FO group, an d it also slightly decreased in the BT group at the expense of phosphatidylethanolamine. The activity of CTP : phospocholine cytidylytransferase , the rate-limiting enzyme of phosphatidylcholine synthesis, increased inhepatic mocrosomes whreas it decreased in hepatic cytosol of both groups by cholesterol supplementation. In conclusion, these indicated that the dietary cholesterol profoundly influences phospholipid metabolism in the rat liver.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.431-443
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• 2021

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Nobiletin (NOB), a citrus flavonoid, is reported to have beneficial effects on cardiovascular and metabolic health. However, there is limited research investigating the effect of long-term supplementation with low-dose NOB on high-cholesterol diet (HCD)-induced hypercholesterolemia and non-obese nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Therefore, we investigated the influence of NOB on hypercholesterolemia and NAFLD in HCD-fed mice. SUBJECTS/METHODS: C57BL/6J mice were fed a normal diet (ND) or HCD (35 kcal% fat, 1.25% cholesterol, 0.5% cholic acid) with or without NOB (0.02%) for 20 weeks. RESULTS: HCD feeding markedly reduced the final body weight compared to ND feeding, with no apparent energy intake differences. NOB supplementation suppressed HCD-induced weight loss without altering energy intake. Moreover, NOB significantly decreased the total cholesterol (TC) levels and the low-density lipoprotein (LDL)/very-LDL-cholesterol to TC ratio, and increased the high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol/TC ratio in plasma, compared to those for HCD feeding alone. The plasma levels of inflammatory and atherosclerosis markers (C-reactive protein, oxidized LDL, interleukin [IL]-1β, IL-6, and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1) were significantly lower, whereas those of anti-atherogenic adiponectin and paraoxonase were higher in the NOB-supplemented group than in the HCD control group. Furthermore, NOB significantly decreased liver weight, hepatic cholesterol and triglyceride contents, and lipid droplet accumulation by inhibiting messenger RNA expression of hepatic genes and activity levels of cholesterol synthesis-, esterification-, and fatty acid synthesis-associated enzymes, concomitantly enhancing fatty acid oxidation-related gene expression and enzyme activities. Dietary NOB supplementation may protect against hypercholesterolemia and NAFLD via regulation of hepatic lipid metabolism in HCD-fed mice; these effects are associated with the amelioration of inflammation and reductions in the levels of atherosclerosis-associated cardiovascular markers. CONCLUSIONS: The present study suggests that NOB may serve as a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of HCD-induced hypercholesterolemia and NAFLD.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.712-715
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• 2001

A new combined method including the enzymatic hydrolysis of $\beta$-cyclodextrin ($\beta$-CD) and solvent extraction fo cholesterol from the hydrolyzed mixture was developed to recover cholesterol from a $\beta$-CD-cholesterol complex prepared from dairy products, such as cream, milk, and cheese. Cyclomaltodextrinase (cyclomatodextrin dextrin hydrolase, EC 3.2.1.54, DCase_ prepared form alkalophilic Bacillus sp. KJ 133 hydrolyzed the $\beta$-DC of the $\beta$-CD-cholesterol complex, and then, free cholesterol was efficiently extracted from the hydrolyzed mixture by a nonpolar solvent such as ethyl acetate. To increase the stability of free CDase, immobilized CDase was developed using sodium alginate as a carrier. The immobilized CDase showed a high recovery yield of cholesterol in a time-dependent manner compared to the free CDase. A gas chromatography analysis showed that more than 70% of cholesterol was recovered from the $\beta$-DC-cholesterol complex of cream by the immobilized CDase, whereas only 3% and 29% of cholesterol were recovered when the solvent extraction and free CDase treatment were used, respectively. The cholesterol recovered can be used as a raw material for steroid synthesis. Furthermore, this method can be an efficient way to recover cholesterol or other organic compounds that are bound in a $\beta$ -DC-cholesterol or -organic compound complex.