Sorghum extract exerts cholesterol-lowering effects through the regulation of hepatic cholesterol metabolism in hypercholesterolemic mice.

The purpose of this study is to investigate that sorghum extract (SE) exerts cholesterol-lowering effects through the regulation of hepatic cholesterol metabolism-related protein expression. C57BL/6 mice were fed a modified AIN-93G diet (NC) with saline, or a modified AIN-93G diet with 2% cholesterol and 0.25% cholic acid with either saline (HC) or 600 mg SE/kg body weight (HC-SE). Levels of total cholesterol and triglycerides in serum and liver were significantly lower in HC-SE than in HC. The expression of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase, sterol regulatory elementary binding protein2 and fatty acid synthase were significantly lower, whereas phosphorylated AMP-activated protein kinase expression was significantly higher in HC-SE than in HC. Cholesterol 7-α hydroxylase expression was also significantly higher in mice given SE than in those given HC. These results suggest that the cholesterol-lowering effect of SE may be related to the regulation of hepatic cholesterol metabolism in this mouse model.