The blood lipid regulation of Monascus -produced monascin and ankaflavin via the suppression of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol assembly and stimulation of apolipoprotein A1 expression in the liver

• Published in: Journal of microbiology, immunology and infection Vol. 51; no. 1; pp. 27 - 37
• Main Authors: Lee, Chun-Lin, Wen, Ja-Yan, Hsu, Ya-Wen, Pan, Tzu-Ming
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier B.V 01.02.2018; Elsevier
• Subjects: Acetyl-CoA C-Acetyltransferase - metabolism; Animals; ankaflavin; Apolipoprotein A-I - analysis; Apolipoprotein A-I - metabolism; Apolipoprotein B-100 - metabolism; Bile Acids and Salts - analysis; Body Weight; Carrier Proteins - metabolism; Cholesterol, HDL - blood; Cholesterol, LDL - blood; Cholesterol, LDL - metabolism; Diet, High-Fat; Eating; Feces - chemistry; Fermentation; Flavins - metabolism; Heterocyclic Compounds, 3-Ring - metabolism; Hypercholesterolemia - blood; hyperlipidemia; Infectious Disease; Lipids - blood; Lipids - pharmacology; Liver - chemistry; Liver - drug effects; Lovastatin - metabolism; low density lipoprotein cholesterol; Male; Medical Education; monascin; Monascus; Monascus - metabolism; Rats; ankaflavin; hyperlipidemia; Monascus; low density lipoprotein cholesterol; monascin
• ISSN: 1684-1182; 1995-9133
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jmii.2016.06.003

Abstract Background/Purposes Monascin (MS) and ankaflavin (AK) produced by Monascus purpureus NTU 568 were proven to show excellent hypolipidemic effects in our previous studies; however, the mechanism is still unclear. Methods This study used MS, AK, and monacolin K as test substances and performed tests on rats fed high-fat and high-cholesterol diet for 8 weeks. The lipid levels and the related protein levels of the rats were assessed to understand the effects of MS, AK, and monacolin K on lipid metabolism. Results MS and AK lowered low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and preserved high-density lipoprotein cholesterol contents. MS and AK inhibited acetyl-coenzyme A acetyltransferase, microsomal triglyceride transfer protein, and apolipoprotein (apo) B-100 expression, thereby preventing LDL assembly. In addition, enhanced LDL-receptor expression increased the transport of LDL-C to the liver for metabolism. MS and AK also significantly increase apo A1 expression, which facilitates high-density lipoprotein cholesterol formation. Conclusion Monascus- fermented MS and AK can perform blood lipid regulation via the suppression of LDL-C assembly and stimulation of apo A1 expression in liver.