Medium-Chain Fatty Acids Enhanced the Excretion of Fecal Cholesterol and Cholic Acid in C57BL/6J Mice Fed a Cholesterol-Rich Diet

Abstract

The objective of the present study was to investigate the cholesterol-reducing effect of medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs) completed by elevated excretion of fecal neutral steroids and/or bile acids. Blood and liver lipid profiles, fecal neutral steroids, bile acids, and mRNA and protein expression of the genes relevant to cholesterol homeostasis were measured and analyzed in C57BL/6J mice fed a cholesterol-rich diet with 2% caprylic acid or capric acid for 12 weeks. Blood total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) levels were reduced significantly as compared to diet with palmitic acid or stearic acid. Caprylic acid promoted the excretion of fecal neutral steroids, especially cholesterol. The excretion of fecal bile acids, mainly in the form of cholic acid was enhanced and accompanied by elevated expression of mRNA and the protein of hepatic cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase (CYP7A1). These results indicate that MCFAs can reduce blood cholesterol by promoting the excretion of fecal cholesterol and cholic acid.

Medium-chain fatty acids decrease serum cholesterol via reduction of intestinal bile acid reabsorption in C57BL/6J mice

“…Medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) with 8–12 carbon atoms is digested by lipase in the stomach and duodenum into glycerol and medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs). Our previous studies confirmed that a diet containing MCFAs reduced serum total cholesterol (TC) via promotion of bile acid synthesis in the liver and increased excretion of bile acids in faeces [ 4 , 5 ]. We hypothesized that the small intestine also plays an essential role in the maintenance of cholesterol balance.…”

“…The methods for the preparation and determination of bile acids in faeces and bile were performed according to our previous study and reports from Steiner et al [ 4 , 6 ]. A Shimadzu LC-20 AD high-performance liquid chromatography system (Shimadzu, Kyoto, Japan) coupled to an Applied Biosystecm 3200 Q TRAP mass spectrometer with an electrospray ionization (ESI) source (Applied Biosystems, Carlsbad, USA) was used.…”

Royal jelly attenuates nonalcoholic fatty liver disease by inhibiting oxidative stress and regulating the expression of circadian genes in ovariectomized rats

“…OVX group, rats were ovariectomized; RJL, RJM, RJH group, OVX rats were oral administration of RJ at 150, 300, and 450 mg kg -1 day -1 , respectively; Es group, OVX rats were oral administration of 17 β-estradiol at 0.012 mg kg -1 day -1 portal system instead of via blood circulation, and can promote cholesterol excretion through feces. MCFAs therefore provide quick energy to the liver, which reduces TC deposition in the blood and the occurrence of dyslipidemia (Sengupta & Ghosh, 2011;Xu et al, 2013). Based on the present findings, RJ can reduce the blood lipid deposition and regulate lipid metabolism.…”

“…Owing to their small size, MCFAs can be absorbed via the portal system instead of via blood circulation, and can promote cholesterol excretion through feces. MCFAs therefore provide quick energy to the liver, which reduces TC deposition in the blood and the occurrence of dyslipidemia (Sengupta & Ghosh, ; Xu et al, ). Based on the present findings, RJ can reduce the blood lipid deposition and regulate lipid metabolism.…”

Eicosapentaenoic Acid‐Enriched Phosphatidylcholine Attenuated Hepatic Steatosis Through Regulation of Cholesterol Metabolism in Rats with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

“…CYP7A is the key modulator of cholesterol degradation. CYP7A is a member of the cytochrome P450 family, and it catalyzes the rate-limiting step of bile acid synthesis [27]. CYP7A expression is upregulated by PPARα.…”