Deep sea water improves hypercholesterolemia and hepatic lipid accumulation through the regulation of hepatic lipid metabolic gene expression

Abstract

A high‑fat diet or high‑cholesterol diet (HCD) is a major cause of metabolic diseases, including obesity and diabetes; vascular diseases, including hypertension, stroke and arteriosclerosis; and liver diseases, including hepatic steatosis and cirrhosis. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of deep sea water (DSW) on rats fed a HCD. DSW decreased HCD‑induced increases in total cholesterol and low‑density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in the blood, and recovered high‑density lipoprotein cholesterol. In addition, DSW decreased levels of liver injury markers, which were increased in response to HCD, including glutamate‑oxaloacetate transaminase, glutamate‑pyruvate transferase and alkaline phosphatase. Lower lipid droplet levels were observed in the livers of rats fed a HCD and treated with DSW at a hardness of 1,500, as compared with those in the HCD only group. Semi‑quantitative reverse transcription‑polymerase chain reaction (RT‑PCR) revealed that mRNA expression levels of fatty acid synthase and sterol regulatory element binding protein‑1c (SREBP‑1c) in rats fed a HCD with DSW were lower compared with the HCD only group. Furthermore, quantitative RT‑PCR revealed that DSW enhanced LDL receptor (LDLR) mRNA expression in a hardness‑dependent manner. Combined, the results of the present study indicated that DSW may reduce HCD‑induced increases in blood and liver lipid levels, indicating that DSW may protect against hypercholesterolemia and non‑alcoholic hepatic steatosis. In addition, the present study demonstrated that DSW‑induced downregulation of lipids in the blood and hepatic lipid accumulation was mediated by enhancement of LDLR expression and suppression of fatty acid synthase and SREBP‑1c.

Nostoc sphaeroids Kütz ameliorates hyperlipidemia and maintains the intestinal barrier and gut microbiota composition of high‐fat diet mice

“…The available drugs for hyperlipidemia treatment include statins and fibrates, but these have side effects and are expensive, and have shown very limited effectiveness (Bin‐Jumah, 2018; De Leo et al, 2005; Lee, Chun, Kwon, Kim, & Nam, 2017). Many researchers have also investigated and developed substances with lipid‐lowering functions from natural products.…”

Monolluma quadrangula Protects against Oxidative Stress and Modulates LDL Receptor and Fatty Acid Synthase Gene Expression in Hypercholesterolemic Rats

“…Hyperlipidemia is a lipid metabolism disorder associated with the development of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease [ 1 , 2 ]. Excessive consumption of foods containing high amounts of saturated fats and cholesterol is the major risk factor of hyperlipidemia [ 3 ].…”

“…Dyslipidemia/hypercholesterolemia leads to increased accumulation of lipids in the liver, hence reducing its ability to lower blood lipids [ 2 ]. Studies have reported the significant role of hypercholesterolemia in inducing oxidative stress [ 2 , 5 , 6 ]. Increased production of free radicals and decreased enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidants are the main features of oxidative stress [ 7 ].…”

Baicalein neutralizes hypercholesterolemia-induced aggravation of oxidative injury in rats

“…Hypercholesterolemia reportedly triggers lipid accumulation in the liver that negatively influences hepatic functions (8,9). Increased cholesterol intake impairs renal functions and provokes kidney damage in rodents (10).…”