title: Cholesterol lowering effects of a choleretic phloracetophenone in hypercholesterolemic hamsters.
abstract: The plasma cholesterol-lowering effect and mechanism thereof of a choleretic phloracetophenone or 2,4,6-trihydroxyacetophenone (THA) were investigated in hypercholesterolemic male hamsters. Intragastric administration of THA (300-600 micromol/kg) twice a day for 7 days to these animals caused a dose- and time-dependent decrease in both plasma cholesterol and triglyceride levels. THA at a dose of 400 micromol/kg reduced the cholesterol and triglyceride levels in plasma to 52% and 25% of the level in corresponding cholesterol-fed controls, respectively, with decreases in both plasma very low density lipoprotein and low density lipoprotein cholesterol but not in high density lipoprotein cholesterol. THA did not significantly alter total hepatic cholesterol content but significantly increased the excretion of both bile acids and cholesterol into the intestinal lumen for elimination. Corresponding to the increase in bile acid excretion, THA caused a seven-fold increase in hepatic cholesterol 7alpha-hydroxylase activity. These results suggest that THA exerts its cholesterol lowering effect by increasing hepatic cholesterol 7alpha-hydroxylase activity which increases hepatic conversion of cholesterol to bile acid for disposal via biliary secretion. This compound may have a potential for future development as a therapeutic agent for lowering lipids in hypercholesterolemic patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Rama 6 Road, Rachatewee, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand. scppy @mahidol.ac.th
authors.forename: Pawinee
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Piyachaturawat
authors.forename: Pornpikul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Srivoraphan
authors.forename: Aporn
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chuncharunee
authors.forename: Prayad
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Komaratat
authors.forename: Apichart
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Suksamrarn
mesh_terms: D000098:Acetophenones / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001189:Aryl Hydrocarbon Hydroxylases; D002756:Cholagogues and Choleretics / Q000494:pharmacology; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D002791:Cholesterol, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006224:Cricetinae; D003577:Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System / Q000378:metabolism; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control*; D050356:Lipid Metabolism; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008074:Lipoproteins / Q000097:blood; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008647:Mesocricetus; D013250:Steroid Hydroxylases / Q000378:metabolism; D013997:Time Factors; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D000098:Acetophenones; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D002756:Cholagogues and Choleretics; D002791:Cholesterol, Dietary; D008055:Lipids; D008074:Lipoproteins; D014280:Triglycerides; C107067:2,4,6-trihydroxyacetophenone; D003577:Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System; D002784:Cholesterol; D013250:Steroid Hydroxylases; D001189:Aryl Hydrocarbon Hydroxylases; C029009:steroid hormone 7-alpha-hydroxylase