Short Communications

Effects of Alfalfa Saponins on Cholesterol Metabolism and Its Related Gene Expression in Hyperlipidemic Rats

  • WANG Xianke ,
  • SHI Yinghua ,
  • WANG Chengzhang ,
  • CHEN Mingliang ,
  • YUAN Dedi
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  • College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China

Received date: 2011-11-17

  Online published: 2012-04-29

Abstract

To investigate the effects of alfalfa saponins on cholesterol metabolism and the gene expression of cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase (CYP7Al) and low density lipoprotein receptor (LDL-R) in the liver of hyperlipidemic rats, forty healthy male SD rats were randomly divided into four groups: normal control group, hyperlipidemic model group, alfalfa saponins prevention group and alfalfa saponins treatment group. The rats in the normal control group were fed a basal diet, and the ones in other three groups were all fed high-fat diets. The experimental period was eight weeks. Alfalfa saponins (240 mg/kg) were administered to prevention group from the first week and treatment group from the fifth week by gavage. The body weight, liver index and serum lipid levels of rats were detected. As well as, livers were taken for pathological examination. The protein and mRNA expression of CYP7Al and LDL-R were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay and real-time PCR methods, respectively. The results showed as follows: 1) compared with the hyperlipidemic model group, body weight in the prevention group, contents of total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein cholestorol in prevention and treatment groups were significantly decreased by alfalfa saponins (P<0.01), and the fatty degeneration of liver was ameliorated by alfalfa saponins. 2) The protein and mRNA expression of CYP7Al and LDL-R in prevention and treatment groups were significantly higher than those in the hyperlipidemic model group (P<0.01). In conclusion, alfalfa saponins can prevent and treat hyperlipidemia by increasing the expression of CYP7Al and LDL-R in liver, and by promoting the excretion of liver cholesterol.

Cite this article

WANG Xianke , SHI Yinghua , WANG Chengzhang , CHEN Mingliang , YUAN Dedi . Effects of Alfalfa Saponins on Cholesterol Metabolism and Its Related Gene Expression in Hyperlipidemic Rats[J]. Chinese Journal of Animal Nutrition, 2012 , (5) : 983 -990 . DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1006-267x.2012.05.026

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