Hypolipidemic and anti-atherogenic effects of long-term Cholestin (Monascus purpureus-fermented rice, red yeast rice) in cholesterol fed rabbits.
Long-term effects of Cholestin (Monascus purpureus rice; red yeast rice) on serum lipids and severity of atherosclerosis were examined in rabbits fed for 200 days on a semi-purified diet containing 0.25% cholesterol. Serum total cholesterol was 25 and 40% lower, respectively, in rabbits fed 0.4 or 1.35 g/kg/day of Cholestin (Monascus purpureus rice; red yeast rice) compared to controls. This treatment also lowered serum LDL cholesterol. This 200-day treatment significantly reduced serum triglycerides and atherosclerotic index (ratio of non-HDL-cholesterol to HDL-cholesterol). Although similar reductions of total, LDL-cholesterol and triglycerides were observed, a parallel group of rabbits fed lovastatin (0.0024 g/kg/day) failed to reduce the index significantly. Apolipoprotein A(1) was increased and apolipoprotein B was reduced in all treatment groups. Severity of atherosclerosis was reduced significantly in all treatment groups. The sudanophilic area of involvement was 80.6% in controls, and reduced significantly; to 30.1% on the low dose of Cholestin (Monascus purpureus rice; red yeast rice), and 17.2% on the high dose. Lovastatin reduced severity of lesions by 89% (sudanophilia) and 84% (visual). Visual grading of lesion severity showed reduction by 38% and 68%.
Wei
Wei
W
Department of Biochemical Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing 100083, China.
Li
Changling
C
Wang
Yinye
Y
Su
Huaide
H
Zhu
Jiashi
J
Kritchevsky
David
D
D000818:Animals; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000097:blood / Q000628:therapy*; D001203:Ascomycota; D001688:Biological Products / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D002791:Cholesterol, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008148:Lovastatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008297:Male; D011817:Rabbits; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
D001688:Biological Products; D002791:Cholesterol, Dietary; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents; D014280:Triglycerides; C117343:red yeast rice; D002784:Cholesterol; D008148:Lovastatin