Regulatory effect of puerarin on lipid profile in hypercholesterolemic rats

Abstract

目的:观察葛根素对膳食诱导的高胆固 醇血症大鼠的血脂调节作用,并对其机制进行探索。方法:SD大鼠随机分为3组,正常组、模型组和葛根素组。模型组和葛根素组均给予富含胆固醇的饲料4周, 葛根素组每天灌喂葛根素溶液(300mg·kg-1·d-1)。检测血清总胆固醇(TC)、甘油三酯(TG)、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-c)和低密度 脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-c)的含量。荧光定量RT-PCR分析羟基-3-甲基戊二酰CoA还原酶(HMGR),羊毛固醇14α-去甲基酶 (CYP51),7α-羟化酶(CYP7A1)的mRNA转录水平。结果:葛根素显著降低高胆固醇膳食引起的血清胆固醇的升高,降低动脉粥样硬化指数,上 调CYP7A1的mRNA转录水平,对HMGR和CYP51的转录水平没有影响。结论:这些数据表明葛根素能够降低血清胆固醇,减低动脉粥样硬化发生危 险。其降低胆固醇的作用可能是通过促进胆固醇转化为胆酸实现的。 AIM: To investigate the regulatory effect of puerarin on lipid profile in diet-induced hypercholesterolemic rats and elucidate the mechanisms involved. METHODS: SD rats were randomly divided into the control group, hypercholesterolemia group and puerarin-treated group. The hypercholesterolemia group and puerarin-treated group were given diet rich in cholesterol. In the meantime, the puerarin-treated group was orally administrated with puerarin (300 mg·kg~ -1 ·d~ -1 ). The lipid profile was investigated by the content of serum TC, TG, HDL-c and LDL-c. The mRNA levels of 7α-hydroxylase (CYP7A1), 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase (HMGR) and lanosterol 14α-demethylase (CYP51) were analyzed by real time RT-PCR. RESULTS: Puerarin markedly attenuated the increased serum total cholesterol induced by hypercholesterolemic diet. It caused a significant reduction in the atherogenic index. Expression of mRNA of CYP7A1 was significantly enhanced but not for those of HMGR and CYP51. CONCLUSION: These data indicate that puerarin can reduce the atherogenic properties of dietary cholesterol in rats. Its hypocholesterolemic function may be due to promoting the conversion of cholesterol into bile acids.