title: Aspergillus awamori feeding modifies lipid metabolism in rats.
abstract: In the present study, an experiment was conducted to show that A. awamori modifies lipid metabolism in mammals. A total number of 24 rats at 6 weeks of age were divided into 2 groups (10% and 30% fat dietary groups), and each group was further divided into control and experimental groups (6 rats per group). Rats in the experimental groups were given diets containing 0.05% A. awamori. The diets were administered for 3 weeks to evaluate the effects of A. awamori on growth, plasma lipid profile, and the expressions of genes related to lipid metabolism in the liver. After the rats were fed A. awamori, body weight gain was increased, while food intake was decreased; therefore, food efficiency was increased in both A. awamori groups. Plasma triglycerides, LDL cholesterol, and glucose levels were decreased, but plasma HDL cholesterol levels were increased. Furthermore, saturated fatty acids were decreased while; unsaturated fatty acids were increased in the liver. The liver mRNA levels of FAS, ACC, delta-6-desaturase, and HMG-CoA reductase were increased, while the mRNA level of LDL receptor was decreased. From these data, it is proposed that A. awamori could be used as an effective probiotic to prevent lifestyle-related diseases in humans.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemical Science and Technology, Faculty of Agriculture, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Kagoshima 890-0065, Japan.
authors.forename: Ahmed A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Saleh
authors.forename: Akira
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ohtsuka
authors.forename: Masahiro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yamamoto
authors.forename: Kunioki
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hayashi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001230:Aspergillus / Q000378:metabolism*; D001786:Blood Glucose; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D004032:Diet; D050356:Lipid Metabolism; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects; D019936:Probiotics / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D051381:Rats; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood; D015430:Weight Gain
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D014280:Triglycerides