Saponins from Chenopodium quinoa Willd. husks alleviated high-fat-diet-induced hyperlipidemia via modulating the gut microbiota and multiple metabolic pathways

BACKGROUND

Hyperlipidemia is characterized by abnormally elevated blood lipids. Quinoa saponins (QS) have multiple pharmacological activities, including antitumor, bactericidal and immune-enhancing effects. However, the lipid-lowering effect and mechanisms of QS in vivo have been scarcely reported.

METHODS

The effect of QS against hyperlipidemia induced by high-fat diet in rats was explored based on gut microbiota and serum non-targeted metabolomics.

RESULTS

The study demonstrated that the supplementation of QS could reduce serum lipids, body weight, liver injury and inflammation. 16S rRNA sequencing demonstrated that QS mildly increased alpha-diversity, altered the overall structure of intestinal flora, decreased the relative richness of Firmicutes, the ratio of Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes (P < 0.05) and increased the relative richness of Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Bifidobacterium, Roseburia and Coprococcus (P < 0.05). Simultaneously, metabolomics analysis showed that QS altered serum functional metabolites with respect to bile acid biosynthesis, arachidonic acid metabolism and taurine and hypotaurine metabolism, which were closely related to bile acid metabolism and fatty acid β-oxidation. Furthermore, QS increased protein levels of farnesoid X receptor, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α and carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1, which were related to the screened metabolic pathways. Spearman correlation analysis showed that there was a correlation between gut microbiota and differential metabolites.

CONCLUSION

QS could prevent lipid metabolism disorders in hyperlipidemic rats, which may be closely associated with the regulation of the gut microbiota and multiple metabolic pathways. This study may provide new evidence for QS as natural active substances for the prevention of hyperlipidemia. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

A single-center experience of non-bioartificial DFAPP support systems among Chinese patients with hyperlipidemic moderate/severe acute pancreatitis

To assess the clinical efficacy of Double Filtration Plasmapheresis (DFAPP), a novel blood purification method, in treating hyperlipidemic moderate/severe pancreatitis (HL-M/SAP). A total of 68 HL-M/SAP patients were enrolled in this study. The observation group, comprising 34 patients, received DFAPP treatment, while the control group underwent CVVH + PA treatment. We compared the efficacy changes between the two groups post-treatment. Patients treated with DFAPP showed significant improvements in clinical outcomes. After 72 h of DFAPP treatment, HL-M/SAP patients exhibited notably lower multiple organ failure scores and a reduced mortality rate compared to those in the CVVH + PA group. Triglyceride levels in HL-M/SAP patients treated with DFAPP for 48 h averaged 3.75 ± 1.95, significantly lower than the 9.57 ± 3.84 levels in the CVVH + PA group (P < 0.05). Moreover, CRP levels decreased markedly, IL-17 levels diminished, IL-10 levels increased, and the decline in IL-35 levels was significantly less pronounced compared to the CVVH + PA group. The recurrence rate of pancreatitis was also significantly lower after 6 months. The early implementation of DFAPP in HL-M/SAP patients effectively reduces triglyceride levels, suppresses pro-inflammatory factors, enhances anti-inflammatory factors, and mitigates cytokine storm-induced sepsis damage. Consequently, this leads to a decrease in the incidence of multiple organ failure, improved patient survival rates, and a reduce the recurrence rate of lipogenic pancreatitis.Trial registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR2300076066.

Gut Microbiome and Metabolomics Study of Selenium-Enriched Kiwifruit Regulating Hyperlipidemia in Mice Induced by a High-Fat Diet

Our previous study showed that as a substitute for statins, selenium-enriched kiwifruit (Se-Kiwi) might reduce blood lipids and protect the liver in Kunming mice, but the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Metabolic regulation of mammalian intestinal microflora plays an important role in obesity and related diseases induced by a high-fat diet (HFD). Here, samples of serum, liver, colon, and fresh feces from the Se-Kiwi-treated hyperlipidemia C57BL/6J mouse model were collected. Based on metabolome (UHPLC-Q-TOF MS) and gut microbiome (16S rDNA) analyses as well as the integrative analysis of physiological and biochemical indices and pathological data of mice, we aimed to systematically illustrate the gut microbiome and metabolomics mechanism of Se-Kiwi in HFD-induced hyperlipidemic mice. As a result, Se-Kiwi can significantly increase the abundance of potentially beneficial gut bacteria such as Parabacteroides, Bacteroides, and Allobaculum in the colon and improve hyperlipidemia by regulating the digestion and absorption of vitamins, pyrimidine metabolism, purine metabolism, and other metabolic pathways, which have been confirmed by the following fecal microbiota transplantation experiment. This process was significantly regulated by the Ada, Gda, Pank1, Ppara, Pparg, and Cd36 genes. These findings may provide a theoretical basis for the research and development of selenium-enriched functional foods in the treatment of hyperlipidemia.

Bleb-related infection after primary trabeculectomy: medical chart reviews from 1993 to 2021

BACKGROUND

To investigate the incidence of and risk factors for bleb-related infection (BRI) in patients who underwent mitomycin C-augmented primary trabeculectomy.

METHODS

We reviewed the medical charts of consecutive patients who had received primary trabeculectomy in Taipei Veterans General Hospital. We recorded the demographic and clinical characteristics of patients before, during and after surgery. Furthermore, we recorded the time interval between surgery and infection onset, clinical manifestations and visual outcomes of patients with BRI. The cumulative incidence of BRI was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. A Cox proportional hazards model was used to explore factors associated with BRI.

RESULTS

In total, 1663 eyes were postoperatively followed up for 94.57±65.23 months. The cumulative incidence of BRI was 1.86 per 1000 person-years during the 28-year follow-up period: 24 (1.44%) patients developed BRI and 6 (0.36%) patients additionally developed endophthalmitis. A multivariate analysis revealed a significant association of BRI with wound manipulation, high myopia and hyperlipidaemia. Patients younger than 60 years were more likely to receive wound manipulation than their elderly counterparts (<0.001). One year after BRI, the best corrected visual acuity of the eyes with blebitis did not change significantly, whereas that of the eyes with endophthalmitis worsened significantly.

CONCLUSION

Risk factors for BRI after trabeculectomy include wound manipulation, high myopia and hyperlipidaemia. Considering myopia is highly prevalent throughout the world and is a risk factor for glaucoma, the lifelong risk of BRI after trabeculectomy in eyes with high myopia warrants the attention of ophthalmologists.

Liver triacylglycerol accumulation but not postprandial lipemia is reduced by a skim milk powder diet in male rats

Increases in postprandial lipids are linked to the development of cardiometabolic and fatty liver disease. Prior work has suggested that dairy possesses beneficial cardiometabolic effects and thus the aim of the current investigation was to test the hypotheses that the habitual consumption of dairy, in the form of skim milk powder (SMP), would protect against increases in circulating lipids and liver lipid accumulation following an oral fat challenge in rats. Male rats were fed either a semipurified low-fat control diet with casein or a diet with an equivalent amount of protein (∼13% kcal) provided through skim milk powder (SMP) for 6 weeks (n = 40/group). Rats were then given an oral gavage of palm oil (5 mL/kg body weight) or an equivalent volume of water, and serum and liver were harvested 90 minutes or 4 hours after. Rats fed the SMP diet gained less weight than controls but there were no differences in glucose tolerance between groups. The fat gavage increased serum lipids in both diet groups, whereas there was a main effect of the fat challenge to increase, and the SMP diet, to decrease liver triacylglycerol accumulation. The percentage of saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids and the protein content/activity of lipogenic enzymes were reduced in livers from SMP-fed rats, whereas the percentage of polyunsaturated fatty acids was increased. In summary, we provide evidence that SMP consumption, although not protecting against postprandial lipemia, markedly attenuates triacylglycerol accumulation and the relative amount of saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids in the liver.

Lactobacillus fermentum CKCC1858 alleviates hyperlipidemia in golden hamsters on a high-fat diet via modulating gut microbiota

To investigate the effect of probiotic Lactobacillus fermentum CKCC1858, LF on the prevention of hyperlipidemia and its correlation with gut microbiota, golden hamsters were fed a high-fat diet alone or in combination with the probiotic for 6 weeks. The results showed that the LF intervention alleviated HFD-induced hyperlipidemia and liver damage, as evidenced by the reduced serum lipid profile levels and liver function markers. More importantly, the LF intervention attenuated HFD-induced microbiota dysbiosis by enhancing the abundance of SCFA-producing bacteria and reshaping the metabolic functions of the gut microbiota, likely contributing to its pronounced preventive effects on hyperlipidemia. This study elucidated the mechanism of the preventive effect of probiotics on hyperlipidemia in terms of regulating gut microbiota, and provided suggestions for regulating gut microbiota through probiotic interventions to improve lipid metabolism.

Averrhoa carambola L. fruit polyphenols ameliorate hyperlipidemia, hepatic steatosis, and hyperglycemia by modulating lipid and glucose metabolism in mice with obesity

BACKGROUND

Hyperlipidemia, hepatic steatosis, and hyperglycemia are common metabolic complications of obesity. The objective of the present study is to investigate the in vivo protective effect of Averrhoa carambola L. fruit polyphenols (ACFP) on hyperlipidemia, hepatic steatosis, and hyperglycemia in mice with high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity and elucidate the mechanisms of action underlying the beneficial effects of ACFP. Thirty-six specific pathogen-free male C57BL/6J mice (4 weeks old, weighing 17.1-19.9 g) were randomly divided into three groups and fed with a low-fat diet (LFD, 10% fat energy), HFD (45% fat energy), or HFD supplemented with ACFP by intragastric administration for 14 weeks. Obesity-related biochemical indexes and hepatic gene expression levels were determined. The statistical analyses were conducted using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Duncan's multiple range test.

RESULTS

The results showed that the body weight gain, serum triglycerides, total cholesterol, glucose, insulin resistance index, and steatosis grade in the ACFP group decreased by 29.57%, 26.25%, 27.4%, 19.6%, 40.32%, and 40%, respectively, compared to the HFD group. Gene expression analysis indicated that ACFP treatment improved the gene expression profiles involved in lipid and glucose metabolism compared to the HFD group.

CONCLUSION

ACFP protected from HFD-induced obesity and obesity-associated hyperlipidemia, hepatic steatosis, and hyperglycemia by improving lipid and glucose metabolism in mice. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Liposomal Phytosterols as LDL-Cholesterol-Lowering Agents in Diet-Induced Hyperlipidemia

The high blood level of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is a primary risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Plant sterols, known as phytosterols (PSs), can reduce LDL-C in a range of 8-14%. The extent of LDL-C reduction depends on its formulation. Encapsulation into liposomes is one formulation strategy to enhance the efficiency of PSs. PSs (campesterol, stigmasterol, and β-sitosterol) have frequently been assessed alone or in combination for their LDL-C-lowering ability. However, one naturally abundant PS, brassicasterol, has not yet been tested for its efficacy. We have previously developed a novel liposomal formulation containing the PS mixture present naturally in canola that is composed of brassicasterol, campesterol, and β-sitosterol. In this work, the efficacy of our novel liposomal PS formulation that includes brassicasterol was assessed in a hamster model. Animals were divided into five groups: (i) liposomal PS in orange juice, (ii) liposomal PS in water, (iii) marketed PS in orange juice, (iv) control orange juice, and (v) control water. The animals were fed a high-fat, cholesterol-supplemented (0.5%) diet to induce hypercholesterolemia. The treatment was administered orally once daily for 4 weeks. Fasting blood samples were collected at baseline, week 2, and week 4. The extent of the reduction of total cholesterol, LDL-C, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and triglycerides was compared among the groups. Liposomal PSs in both orange juice and water significantly reduced LDL-C compared to their controls. Furthermore, the liposomal PS was as effective as a marketed PS-containing product in reducing LDL-C. Liposomal PSs in both orange juice and water showed similar efficacy in LDL-C reduction, highlighting that these vehicles/food matrices do not affect the efficacy of PSs. The liposomal formulation of a natural PS mixture extracted from canola oil, with brassicasterol as a major component, exhibited a significant LDL-C reduction in a hamster model.

Lysimachia christinae polysaccharide attenuates diet-induced hyperlipidemia via modulating gut microbes-mediated FXR-FGF15 signaling pathway

Polysaccharides are one of the most abundant and active components of Lysimachia christinae (L. christinae), which is widely adopted for attenuating abnormal cholesterol metabolism; however, its mechanism of action remains unclear. Therefore, we fed a natural polysaccharide (NP) purified from L. christinae to high-fat diet mice. These mice showed an altered gut microbiota and bile acid pool, which was characterized by significantly increased Lactobacillus murinus and unconjugated bile acids in the ileum. Oral administration of the NP reduced cholesterol and triglyceride levels and enhanced bile acid synthesis via cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase. Additionally, the effects of NP are microbiota-dependent, which was reconfirmed by fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT). Altered gut microbiota reshaped bile acid metabolism by modulating bile salt hydrolase (BSH) activity. Therefore, bsh genes were genetically engineered into Brevibacillus choshinensis, which was gavaged into mice to verify BSH function in vivo. Finally, adeno-associated-virus-2-mediated overexpression or inhibition of fibroblast growth factor 15 (FGF15) was used to explore the farnesoid X receptor-fibroblast growth factor 15 pathway in hyperlipidemic mice. We identified that the NP relieves hyperlipidemia by altering the gut microbiota, which is accompanied by the active conversion of cholesterol to bile acids.

Rice Bran Extract Suppresses High-Fat Diet-Induced Hyperlipidemia and Hepatosteatosis through Targeting AMPK and STAT3 Signaling

Rice bran, a by-product of rice milling, is abundant in bioactive molecules and is highly recognized for its health-promoting properties, particularly in improving metabolic conditions. Building on this knowledge, we aimed to optimize the extraction conditions to maximize the functional efficacy of rice bran extract (RBE) and further validate its impact on lipid metabolism. We found that the optimized RBE (ORBE) significantly suppressed high-fat diet-induced weight gain, hyperlipidemia, and hepatosteatosis in mouse models. ORBE treatment not only suppressed lipid uptake in vivo, but also reduced lipid accumulation in HepG2 cells. Importantly, we discovered that ORBE administration resulted in activation of AMPK and inhibition of STAT3, which are both crucial players in lipid metabolism in the liver. Collectively, ORBE potentially offers promise as a dietary intervention strategy against hyperlipidemia and hepatosteatosis. This study underlines the value of optimized extraction conditions in enhancing the functional efficacy of rice bran.

Shatianyu (Citrus grandis L. Osbeck) Flavonoids and Dietary Fiber in Combination Are More Effective Than Individually in Alleviating High-Fat-Diet-Induced Hyperlipidemia in Mice by Altering Gut Microbiota

This study was aimed at exploring the separate and combined anti-hyperlipidemic effect of Shatianyu (Citrus grandis L. Osbeck) flavonoids (SPFEs) and DF (SPDF) on HFD-fed mice after 14-week administration in diet, together with the possible microbiota-mediated mechanisms. SPFEs and SPDF were more effective together than separately in improving serum lipid profiles, decreasing hepatic lipid accumulation, and upregulating the expression of hepatic CPT1a, CYP7A1, ABCG5, and ABCG8. Butyrate has been previously proved to have an anti-hyperlipidemic effect. The fecal butyrate contents were negatively correlative with serum/liver lipid but positively correlated with fecal total bile acids levels, and SPDF + SPFEs had the most fecal butyrate in this study. SPDF or SPFEs enriched microbiota related to acetic and propionic acids production, while SPDF + SPFEs also bloomed norank_f_Muribaculaceae, Dubosiella, Lachnoclostridium, and norank_f_Eubacterium_coprostanoligenes_group, which were positively correlated to fecal butyrate contents. Thus, SPFEs and SPDF might alleviate hyperlipidemia synergistically by regulating microbiota to produce butyrate, thereby regulating lipid metabolism.

Ascophyllum nodosum and Fucus vesiculosus Extracts Improved Lipid Metabolism and Inflammation in High-Energy Diet-Induced Hyperlipidemia Rats

Ascophyllum nodosum and Fucus vesiculosus both contain unique polyphenols called phlorotannins. Phlorotannins reportedly possess various pharmacological activities. A previous study reported that the activity of phlorotannin is strongly correlated with the normalization of metabolic function, and phlorotannins are extremely promising nutrients for use in the treatment of metabolic syndrome. To date, no study has explored the antihyperlipidemic effects of phlorotannins from A. nodosum and F. vesiculosus in animal models. Therefore, in the present study, we investigated the effects of phlorotannins using a rat model of high-energy diet (HED)-induced hyperlipidemia. The results showed that the rats that were fed an HED and treated with phlorotannin-rich extract from A. nodosum and F. vesiculosus had significantly lower serum fasting blood sugar (FBS), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), total cholesterol (TC), triacylglyceride (TG) and free fatty acids (FFAs) levels and hepatic TG level and had higher serum insulin, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels and lipase activity in their fat tissues than in the case with the rats that were fed the HED alone. A histopathological analysis revealed that phlorotannin-rich extract could significantly reduce the size of adipocytes around the epididymis. In addition, the rats treated with phlorotannin-rich extract had significantly lowered interleukin 6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) levels and increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activities than did those in the HED group. These results suggested that the phlorotannin-rich extract stimulated lipid metabolism and may have promoted lipase activity in rats with HED-induced hyperlipidemia. Our results indicated that A. nodosum and F. vesiculosus, marine algae typically used as health foods, have strong antihyperlipidemic effects and may, therefore, be useful for preventing atherosclerosis. These algae may be incorporated into antihyperlipidemia pharmaceuticals and functional foods.

Childhood beverage intake and risk of hypertension and hyperlipidaemia in young adults

An epidemiological analysis assessing beverage consumption and risk factors for cardiovascular disease was conducted. Participants were 9-16 years old at enrolment, completed food frequency questionnaires in 1996-2001 and self-reported outcomes in 2010-2014. Exclusion criteria included missing data on relevant variables and covariates, prevalent disease before 2005, and implausible/extreme weight or energy intake. Intakes of orange juice, apple/other fruit juice, sugar-sweetened beverages and diet soda were related to the risk of incident hypertension or hyperlipidaemia using Cox proportional hazards regression, adjusting for diet, energy intake, age, smoking, physical activity and body mass index. There were 9,043 participants with 618 cases of hypertension and 850 of hyperlipidaemia in 17 years of mean follow-up. Sugar-sweetened beverage intake but not fruit juice nor diet soda was associated with hypertension (hazard ratio (95% confidence interval): 1.16 (1.03, 1.31)) in males. This study can guide beverage consumption as it relates to early predictors of cardiovascular disease.

Lactobacillus rhamnosus TR08 Improves Dyslipidemia in Mice Fed with a High Fat Diet by Regulating the Intestinal Microbiota, Reducing Systemic Inflammatory Response, and Promoting Sphingomholipid Metabolism

Dysbiosis is a crucial manifestation of dyslipidemia; however, oral supplementation of probiotic modulates the intestinal commensal composition. The protective mechanism of probiotics against hyperlipidemia is still under investigation. To elucidate the hypolipidemic effect of Lactobacillus rhamnosus TR08 through the analysis of gut microbiota and lipid metabolomics, we investigated changes in gut microbiota and lipid metabolomic phenotypes in mice by real time quantitative PCR and untargeted metabolomics analysis. High fat diet–induced dyslipidemia mice were orally administered with TR08 for 8 weeks. The proinflammatory cytokines (interleukin–2 and interferon–γ) levels in spleen and aortic wall injury in the mice fed with a high-fat diet were inhibited after treatment with TR08 at 1 × 10⁸ CFU per day per mouse. TR08 also reshaped the gut microbiota with increases of the relative abundances of Bifidobacterium and Bacteroides, reduced the abundance of the pro–pathogen bacterial Enterococcus, increased the serum level of short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) contents, and promoted sphingomholipid metabolic pathway. The results indicated that TR08 could improve the intestinal microbiota of mice to increase the production of SCFAs, and then play the anti–inflammation induced by hyperlipidemia and reduce the inflammatory injury of blood vessel wall. Therefore, TR08 can potentially be used as a hypolipidemic effect probiotic in further interventions.

Metagenomics Approach to the Intestinal Microbiome Structure and Abundance in High-Fat-Diet-Induced Hyperlipidemic Rat Fed with (-)-Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate Nanoparticles

The effects of nanoparticles (NPs) on microbiota homeostasis and their physiological relevance are still unclear. Herein, we compared the modulation and consequent pharmacological effects of oral administration of (−)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG)-loaded β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) NPs (EGCG@β-CD NPs) and EGCG on gut microbiota. EGCG@β-CD NPs were prepared using self-assembly and their influence on the intestinal microbiome structure was analyzed using a metagenomics approach. The “Encapsulation efficiency (EE), particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), zeta potential” of EGCG@β-CD NPs were recorded as 98.27 ± 0.36%, 124.6 nm, 0.313 and –24.3 mV, respectively. Surface morphology of EGCG@β-CD NPs was observed as spherical. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and molecular docking studies confirmed that EGCG could be well encapsulated in β-CD and formed as EGCG@β-CD NPs. After being continuously administered EGCG@β-CD NPs for 8 weeks, the serum cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and liver malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in the rats were significantly decreased, while the levels of catalase (CAT) and apolipoprotein-A1 (apo-A1) in the liver increased significantly in the hyperlipidemia model of rats, when compared to the high-fat-diet group. Furthermore, metagenomic analysis revealed that the ratio of Verrucomicrobia/Bacteroidetes was altered and Bacteroidetes decreased in the high-fat diet +200 mg/kg·bw EGCG@β-CD NPs group, while the abundance of Verrucomicrobia was significantly increased, especially Akkermansia muciniphila in rat feces. EGCG@β-CD NPs could be a promising EGCG delivery strategy to modulate the gut microbiota, enhancing its employment in the prevention of hyperlipidemia.

Efficacy of Kushen decoction on high-fat-diet-induced hyperlipidemia in rats

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the efficacy and underlying mechanisms of action of Kushen decoction on high-fat-diet-induced hyperlipidemia in rats using RNA-seq technology.

METHODS

The efficacy of a Kushen decoction, at a concentration of 1 mL/g of crude medicine prepared according to the method commonly used in clinical practice, was investigated on 24 specific pathogen-free male Sprague-Dawley rats. Liver tissues were compared using RNA-Seq technology. The differentially expressed genes were further investigated by real-time fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR and Western blot (WB).

RESULTS

Serum triglycerides (TG), liver low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), body weight, body length, and Lee's index were significantly increased in the untreated hyperlipidemia-induced group (model) compared with the control group, whereas liver high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) was significantly decreased. Serum TG, liver LDL-C, bodyweight, and Lee's index were decreased in the high-dose Kushen decoction group (HDKS) compared with the model group, whereas liver HDL-C was significantly increased. Similarly, liver TG tended to decline in the HDKS group. Comparison of the gene expression profiles in the livers from different groups indicated that the Kushen decoction significantly affected metabolic pathways, PPAR signalling pathway, and circadian rhythm ( ≤ 0.05), with the genes ARNTL, PER3, and CLOCK being differentially expressed. qPCR and WB analysis confirmed the differential expression of the genes discovered by transcriptomics analysis.

CONCLUSION

The Kushen decoction may achieve a lipid-lowering effect on hyperlipidemic rats by regulating metabolic pathways and the circadian rhythm pathway and in particular, their related genes ARNTL, PER3, and CLOCK.

Oryzanol Attenuates High Fat and Cholesterol Diet-Induced Hyperlipidemia by Regulating the Gut Microbiome and Amino Acid Metabolism

Hyperlipidemia is intricately associated with the dysregulation of gut microbiota and host metabolomes. This study explored the antihyperlipidemic function of oryzanol and investigated whether the function of oryzanol affected the gut microbiome and its related metabolites. Hamsters were fed a standard diet (Control) and a high fat and cholesterol (HFCD) diet with or without oryzanol, separately. Our results showed that oryzanol significantly decreased HFCD-induced fat accumulation, serum total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), LDL-c/HDL-c ratio, triglyceride, and liver steatohepatitis, attenuated HFCD-induced gut microbiota alterations, and altered amino acid concentrations in feces and the liver. We investigated the role of the gut microbiota in the observed beneficial effects; the protective effects of oryzanol were partly diminished by suppressing the gut bacteria of hamsters after using antibiotics. A fecal microbiota transplantation experiment was carried out by transplanting the feces from HFCD group hamsters or hamsters given oryzanol supplementation (as a donor hamster). Our results showed that administering the fecal liquid from oryzanol-treated hamsters attenuated HFCD-induced hyperlipidemia, significantly decreased the abundance of norank_f__Erysipelotrichaceae, norank_f__Eubacteriaceae, and norank_f__Oscillospiraceae and the concentration of tyrosine. These outcomes are significantly positively correlated with serum lipid concentration. This study illustrated that gut microbiota is the target of oryzanol in the antihyperlipidemic effect.

Metabolomic and Microbial Remodeling by Shanmei Capsule Improves Hyperlipidemia in High Fat Food-Induced Mice

Hyperlipidemia refers to a chronic disease caused by systemic metabolic disorder, and its pathophysiology is very complex. Shanmei capsule (SM) is a famous preparation with a long tradition of use for anti-hyperlipidemia treatment in China. However, the regulation mechanism of SM on hyperlipidemia has not been elucidated so far. In this study, a combination of UPLC-Q-TOF/MS techniques and 16S rDNA gene sequencing was performed to investigate the effects of SM treatment on plasma metabolism-mediated change and intestinal homeostasis. The results indicated that SM potently ameliorated high-fat diet-induced glucose and lipid metabolic disorders and reduced the histopathological injury. Pathway analysis indicated that alterations of differential metabolites were mainly involved in glycerophospholipid metabolism, linolenic acid metabolism, α-linoleic acid metabolism, and arachidonic acid metabolism. These changes were accompanied by a significant perturbation of intestinal microbiota characterized by marked increased microbial richness and changed microbiota composition. There were many genera illustrating strong correlations with hyperlipidemia-related markers (e.g., weight gains, GLU, and total cholesterol), including the Lachnospiraceae NK4A136 group and the Lachnospiraceae NK4B4 group. Overall, this study initially confirmed that hyperlipidemia is associated with metabolic disturbance and intestinal microbiota disorders, and SM can be employed to help decrease hyperlipidemia risk, including improving the abnormal metabolic profile and maintaining the gut microbial environment.

Anti-Hyperlipidemia, Hypoglycemic, and Hepatoprotective Impacts of Pearl Millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) Grains and Their Ethanol Extract on Rats Fed a High-Fat Diet

This study tested the anti-hyperlipidemic, hypoglycemic, hepatoprotective, and anti-inflammatory effects of whole pearl millet grain powder (MPG) and its ethanol extract (MPGethaolE) in obese rats fed a high-fat diet. The rats were divided into eight groups based on the treatments they received: control, high fat diet (HFD), HFD + MGE (25 mg/Kg), HFD + MPGethaolE (50 mg/Kg), HFD + MPGethaolE (100 mg/Kg), HFD + MPG (10%), HFD + MPG (20%), and HFD + MPG (30%). The final body weight, visceral, epididymal fat pads, and the liver weight were significantly decreased, in a dose-dependent manner, in HFD fed rats that were co-administered either the MPG powder or MPGethaolE. In the same line, serum levels of triglycerides (TGs), cholesterol (CHOL), and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-c), as well as fasting glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR, and serum levels of lipopolysaccharides (LPS), interleukine-6 (IL-6), interleukine-10 (IL-10), C-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), and adiponectin were progressively decreased while serum levels of high-density lipoproteins (HDL-c) were significantly increased when increasing the doses of both treatments. In conclusion, both the raw powder and ethanolic extract of MP have a comparative dose-dependent anti-obesity, hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-steatotic in HFD-fed rats.

Trimethylamine N-oxide promotes hyperlipidemia acute pancreatitis via inflammatory response

Trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), a metabolite of gut microbiota, is involved in the regulation of lipid metabolism and inflammatory response; however, the role of TMAO in hyperlipidemia acute pancreatitis (HAP) is not clear. In this study, HAP mice were used as an animal model to explore the effects and possible mechanism of TMAO on HAP, which may provide new ideas for the treatment of HAP. Results found that the levels of triglycerides, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, nonestesterified fatty acid, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, α-amylase, TMAO, and flavin-containing monooxygenase 3 were significantly increased, the levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and insulin were significantly decreased, and there was an obvious pancreatic injury and inflammatory response in the model group. The choline analogue 3,3-dimethyl-1-butanol (DMB) treatment reversed the changes of serum biochemical parameters, alleviated the pancreatic tissue injury, and reduced the levels of inflammatory cytokines. Further studies of toll-like receptor (TLR)/p-glycoprotein 65 (p65) pathway found that the expressions of TLR2, TLR4, and p-p65/p65 in the model group were significantly increased, which was more obvious after Escherichia coli (Migula) Castellani & Chalmers treatment, while activation of the TLR/p65 pathway was inhibited by DMB. The results indicated that TMAO promotes HAP by promoting inflammatory response through TLR/p65 signaling pathway, suggesting that TMAO may be a potential target of HAP.

Clearing the Clutter: Antiatherosclerotic activity of Eucalyptus camaldulensis crude extract

Plant components have been extensively evaluated for their pharmacological activities. This study provides scientific rationale towards the therapeutic effect of Eucalyptus camaldulensis aqueous bark extract against induced atherosclerosis and hyperlipidemia in pigeons. Phytochemical components of Eucalyptus bark extract possess a great antioxidant activity that potentially reduced the risk of heart diseases. A total of 42 Pigeons of both sexes were distributed into negative control (fed normal grain diet), hyperlipidemic control (fed HFD 1% animal fat oil and 0.1% cholesterol for 3 months), test groups of variable doses (0.05, 0.1, 0.2 to 0.4 gms/kg BW for 21 days) and the group received atorvastatin daily after induction used. At the end of the experiment biochemical and histological evaluation has been performed. After HFD induction the serum levels of liver enzyme AST, glucose, urea, cholesterol, LDL, VLDL, and TG were significantly increased with the reduction in HDL levels. The atherogenic index was also found significantly raised. Microscopic examination of the liver and aorta showed the appearance of lipid-filled foam cells all over the liver parenchyma and intima after the HFD induction. Thus it was concluded that Eucalyptus aqueous bark extract can be effective against atherosclerosis and hyperlipidemia.

Maternal gestational diabetes and childhood hyperlipidemia

AIMS

Aim of this study is to assess dyslipidemia risk between children exposed to maternal gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and those not exposed.

METHODS

We recruited 1144 mother-child pairs (572 GDM and 572 non-GDM women matched by their offspring's age and sex). The age of offspring ranged from 3 to 9 years old. We used general linear models to compare mean values of different lipid profiles among children born to mothers with and without GDM. Logistic regression models were used to assess associations of maternal GDM with abnormal lipid profiles in offspring.

RESULTS

After adjustment for maternal and children's characteristics, children born to mothers with GDM had lower mean values of high-density-lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (1.40 ± 0.01 vs. 1.50 ± 0.01; p < 0.001) and higher mean levels of triglycerides/HDL cholesterol ratio (0.37 ± 0.01 vs. 0.35 ± 0.01; p < 0.05) in comparison with their counterparts born to mothers without GDM. Multivariate-adjusted odds ratios among children exposed to mothers with GDM compared with the counterparts were 2.11 (95% confidence interval [CI 1.15-3.88]) for low HDL cholesterol and 1.35 (95% CI 1.00-1.81) for high triglycerides/HDL cholesterol ratio, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Maternal GDM was associated with an increased risk of hyperlipidemia in the offspring during early childhood aged from 3 to 9 years old.

Deficiency of intestinal Bmal1 prevents obesity induced by high-fat feeding

The role of intestine clock in energy homeostasis remains elusive. Here we show that mice with Bmal1 specifically deleted in the intestine (Bmal1iKO mice) have a normal phenotype on a chow diet. However, on a high-fat diet (HFD), Bmal1iKO mice are protected against development of obesity and related abnormalities such as hyperlipidemia and fatty livers. These metabolic phenotypes are attributed to impaired lipid resynthesis in the intestine and reduced fat secretion. Consistently, wild-type mice fed a HFD during nighttime (with a lower BMAL1 expression) show alleviated obesity compared to mice fed ad libitum. Mechanistic studies uncover that BMAL1 transactivates the Dgat2 gene (encoding the triacylglycerol synthesis enzyme DGAT2) via direct binding to an E-box in the promoter, thereby promoting dietary fat absorption. Supporting these findings, intestinal deficiency of Rev-erbα, a known BMAL1 repressor, enhances dietary fat absorption and exacerbates HFD-induced obesity and comorbidities. Moreover, small-molecule targeting of REV-ERBα/BMAL1 by SR9009 ameliorates HFD-induced obesity in mice. Altogether, intestine clock functions as an accelerator in dietary fat absorption and targeting intestinal BMAL1 may be a promising approach for management of metabolic diseases induced by excess fat intake.

MiR-145-5p modulates lipid metabolism and M2 macrophage polarization by targeting PAK7 and regulating β-catenin signaling in hyperlipidemia

The present study aims to explore the role of microRNA 145-5p (miR-145-5p) in hyperlipidemia. Using bioinformatics tools and a wide range of function and mechanism assays, we attempted to understand the specific function and potential mechanism of miR-145-5p in hyperlipidemia. A cholesterol-enriched diet induced an increase of serum cholesterol and triacylglycerol but a decrease of serum high-density lipoprotein. MiR-145-5p level was decreased in hyperlipidemia rat models. MiR-145-5p regulated lipid metabolism by antagonizing the alteration of high-density lipoprotein, cholesterol, and triacylglycerol in serum mediated by a cholesterol-enriched diet. In mechanism, miR-145-5p directly bound with p21 protein (RAC1)-activated kinase 7 (PAK7) and negatively regulated mRNA and protein levels of PAK7 in THP-1 cells. Furthermore, miR-145-5p level was negatively associated with PAK7 level in rat cardiac tissues. Finally, overexpression of PAK7 reversed the effects of miR-145-5p on β-catenin activation and M2 macrophages polarization in THP-1 cells. In conclusion, MiR-145-5p modulated lipid metabolism and M2 macrophage polarization by targeting PAK7 and regulating β-catenin signaling in hyperlipidemia, which may provide a potential biomarker for the treatment of hyperlipidemia-induced cardiovascular diseases.

A Standardized Extract Prepared from Red Orange and Lemon Wastes Blocks High-Fat Diet-Induced Hyperglycemia and Hyperlipidemia in Mice

Citrus fruits are a rich source of high-value bioactive compounds and their consumption has been associated with beneficial effects on human health. Red (blood) oranges (Citrus sinensis L. Osbeck) are particularly rich in anthocyanins (95% of which are represented by cyanidin-3-glucoside and cyanidin-3-6″-malonyl-glucoside), flavanones (hesperidin, narirutin, and didymin), and hydroxycinnamic acids (caffeic acid, coumaric acid, sinapic, and ferulic acid). Lemon fruit (Citrus limon) is also rich in flavanones (eriocitrin, hesperidin, and diosmin) and other polyphenols. All of these compounds are believed to play a very important role as dietary antioxidants due to their ability to scavenge free radicals. A standardized powder extract, red orange and lemon extract (RLE), was obtained by properly mixing anthocyanins and other polyphenols recovered from red orange processing waste with eriocitrin and other flavanones recovered from lemon peel by a patented extraction process. RLE was used for in vivo assays aimed at testing a potential beneficial effect on glucose and lipid metabolism. In vivo experiments performed on male CD1 mice fed with a high-fat diet showed that an 8-week treatment with RLE was able to induce a significant reduction in glucose, cholesterol and triglycerides levels in the blood, with positive effects on regulation of hyperglycemia and lipid metabolism, thus suggesting a potential use of this new phytoextract for nutraceutical purposes.