title: Agaricus brasiliensis (sun mushroom) affects the expression of genes related to cholesterol homeostasis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The sun mushroom (Agaricus brasiliensis) is considered a major source of bioactive compounds with potential health benefits. Mushrooms typically act as lipid-lowering agents; however, little is known about the mechanisms of action of A. brasiliensis in biological systems. This study aimed to determine the underlying mechanism involved in the cholesterol-lowering effect of A. brasiliensis through the assessment of fecal and serum lipid profiles in addition to gene expression analysis of specific transcription factors, enzymes, and transporters involved in cholesterol homeostasis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-four albino Fischer rats approximately 90 days old, with an average weight of 205 g, were divided into four groups of 6 each and fed a standard AIN-93 M diet (C), hypercholesterolemic diet (H), hypercholesterolemic diet +1 % A. brasiliensis (HAb), or hypercholesterolemic diet +0.008 % simvastatin (HS) for 6 weeks. Simvastatin was used as a positive control, as it is a typical drug prescribed for lipid disorders. Subsequently, blood, liver, and feces samples were collected for lipid profile and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction gene expression analyses.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Diet supplementation with A. brasiliensis significantly improved serum lipid profiles, comparable to the effect observed for simvastatin. In addition, A. brasiliensis dietary supplementation markedly promoted fecal cholesterol excretion. Increased expression of 7α-hydroxylase (CYP7A1), ATP-binding cassette subfamily G-transporters (ABCG5/G8), and low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) was observed following A. brasiliensis administration.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results suggest that consumption of A. brasiliensis improves the serum lipid profile in hypercholesterolemic rats by modulating the expression of key genes involved in hepatic cholesterol metabolism.
authors.affiliation: Research Center in Biological Sciences (NUPEB), Federal University of Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
authors.forename: Aline Mayrink
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: de Miranda
authors.affiliation: Research Center in Biological Sciences (NUPEB), Federal University of Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
authors.forename: Joamyr Victor
authors.initials: JV
authors.lastname: Rossoni Júnior
authors.affiliation: Research Center in Biological Sciences (NUPEB), Federal University of Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
authors.forename: Lorena
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Souza E Silva
authors.affiliation: Department of Foods, School of Nutrition, Federal University of Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
authors.forename: Rinaldo Cardoso
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Dos Santos
authors.affiliation: Research Center in Biological Sciences (NUPEB), Federal University of Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil.|Department of Foods, School of Nutrition, Federal University of Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
authors.forename: Marcelo Eustáquio
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.affiliation: Research Center in Biological Sciences (NUPEB), Federal University of Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil. lpedrosa@nupeb.ufop.br.|Department of Biological Sciences (DECBI), Federal University of Ouro Preto, Morro do Cruzeiro Campus, Bauxita., Ouro Preto, MG, 35400-000, Brazil. lpedrosa@nupeb.ufop.br.
authors.forename: Maria Lúcia
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Pedrosa
mesh_terms: D000071018:ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily G, Member 5 / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics; D000071019:ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily G, Member 8 / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D000363:Agaricales / Q000737:chemistry*; D000364:Agaricus / Q000737:chemistry*; D000818:Animals; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood*; D002790:Cholesterol 7-alpha-Hydroxylase / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics; D002791:Cholesterol, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D059305:Diet, High-Fat / Q000009:adverse effects; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006706:Homeostasis / Q000235:genetics*; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000097:blood*; D050356:Lipid Metabolism / Q000235:genetics; D008074:Lipoproteins / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D011916:Rats, Inbred F344; D011973:Receptors, LDL / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D000071018:ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily G, Member 5; D000071019:ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily G, Member 8; C480692:Abcg5 protein, rat; C480693:Abcg8 protein, rat; D002791:Cholesterol, Dietary; D008074:Lipoproteins; D011973:Receptors, LDL; D002784:Cholesterol; C532838:CYP7A1 protein, rat; D002790:Cholesterol 7-alpha-Hydroxylase
keywords: Agaricus brasiliensis; Cholesterol homeostasis; Edible mushroom; Hypercholesterolemia; Rats; Statin