title: Possible inhibition of hydroxy methyl glutaryl CoA reductase activity by nicotinic acid and ergosterol: as targeting for hypocholesterolemic action.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Coronary artery diseases including atherosclerosis is considered as commonest problem worldwide. Ergosterols are the main components of vegetable oils and nuts. The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential hypoplipidemic and hypocholesterolemic effects of ergosterol in combination with niacin in rats fed high fat diet (HFD).
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighty male albino rats were included in this study divided into two main groups: Group I: Normal rats fed standard diet treated with either niacin (8.5 mg /kg b.w) or ergosterol (100 mg/Kg b.w) or both. Group II; rats fed HFD treated with either niacin (8.5 mg /kg b.w) or ergosterol (100 mg/Kg b.w) or both The feeding and treatment lasted for 8 weeks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A significant elevation in the levels of total cholesterol, triacylglycerol, VLDL-c, LDL-c and atherogenic factor (p<0.001) in rats fed on HFD compared with normal control while HDL-c was significantly reduced in HFD rats compared with control group. Supplementation of diet with niacin or ergosterol or combined exerts improvement in the studied parameters by lowering triacylglycerol, total cholesterol, LDL-c and atherogenic factor and elevate HDL-c near to the value of control. Niacin combined with ergosterol were effective in the reduction of hydroxy methyl glutaryl-CoA reducatase (HMGCoA) compared with control (p<0.001). The combined effect was more potent than individual alone.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Utilization of niacin and ergosterol may prevent the hypercholesterolemia and incidence of coronary heart diseases. These functional foods act as nutriceutical as dyslipidemics.
authors.affiliation: Biochemistry Department, Faculty of science, King Abdulaziz University; Experimental biochemistry unit, King Fahad Medical Research center (KFMRC); Bioactive Natural Products Research Group; Biochemistry department, faculty of science, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.
authors.forename: Said S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Moselhy
authors.affiliation: Biochemistry Department, Faculty of science, King Abdulaziz University; Biochemistry department, faculty of science, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.
authors.forename: I H
authors.initials: IH
authors.lastname: Kamal
authors.affiliation: Biochemistry Department, Faculty of science, King Abdulaziz University; Experimental biochemistry unit, King Fahad Medical Research center (KFMRC); Production of bio-products for industrial applications Research group.
authors.forename: Taha A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Kumosani
authors.affiliation: Biochemistry Department, Faculty of science, King Abdulaziz University; Experimental biochemistry unit, King Fahad Medical Research center (KFMRC); Production of bio-products for industrial applications Research group.
authors.forename: E A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Huwait
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D059305:Diet, High-Fat; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004875:Ergosterol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006903:Hydroxymethylglutaryl CoA Reductases / Q000187:drug effects*; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D009525:Niacin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents; D014280:Triglycerides; D009525:Niacin; D002784:Cholesterol; D006903:Hydroxymethylglutaryl CoA Reductases; D004875:Ergosterol
keywords: Nicotinic acid; cholesterol; ergosterol