Agaricus brasiliensis (sun mushroom) affects the expression of genes related to cholesterol homeostasis.
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Date
2016
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Abstract
Purpose The sun mushroom (Agaricus brasiliensis) is
considered a major source of bioactive compounds with
potential health benefits. Mushrooms typically act as lipidlowering
agents; however, little is known about the mechanisms
of action of A. brasiliensis in biological systems.
This study aimed to determine the underlying mechanism
involved in the cholesterol-lowering effect of A. brasiliensis
through the assessment of fecal and serum lipid profiles
in addition to gene expression analysis of specific transcription
factors, enzymes, and transporters involved in cholesterol
homeostasis.
Methods Twenty-four albino Fischer rats approximately
90 days old, with an average weight of 205 g, were divided
into four groups of 6 each and fed a standard AIN-93 M
diet (C), hypercholesterolemic diet (H), hypercholesterolemic
diet +1 % A. brasiliensis (HAb), or hypercholesterolemic
diet +0.008 % simvastatin (HS) for 6 weeks. Simvastatin
was used as a positive control, as it is a typical drug
prescribed for lipid disorders. Subsequently, blood, liver,
and feces samples were collected for lipid profile and quantitative
real-time polymerase chain reaction gene expression
analyses. Results Diet supplementation with A. brasiliensis significantly
improved serum lipid profiles, comparable to the
effect observed for simvastatin. In addition, A. brasiliensis
dietary supplementation markedly promoted fecal cholesterol
excretion. Increased expression of 7α-hydroxylase
(CYP7A1), ATP-binding cassette subfamily G-transporters
(ABCG5/G8), and low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR)
was observed following A. brasiliensis administration.
Conclusions Our results suggest that consumption of A.
brasiliensis improves the serum lipid profile in hypercholesterolemic
rats by modulating the expression of key genes
involved in hepatic cholesterol metabolism.
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Keywords
Edible mushroom, Statin, Hypercholesterolemia, Rats
Citation
MIRANDO, A. M. et al. Agaricus brasiliensis (sun mushroom) affects the expression of genes related to cholesterol homeostasis. European Journal of Nutrition, v. 55, n. 4, p. 1707–1717, jun. 2016. Disponível em: <https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs00394-016-1217-x>. Acesso em: 05 ago. 2017.