title: The blood lipid regulation of Monascus-produced monascin and ankaflavin via the suppression of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol assembly and stimulation of apolipoprotein A1 expression in the liver.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Monascin (MS) and ankaflavin (AK) produced by Monascus purpureus NTU 568 were proven to show excellent hypolipidemic effects in our previous studies; however, the mechanism is still unclear.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study used MS, AK, and monacolin K as test substances and performed tests on rats fed high-fat and high-cholesterol diet for 8 weeks. The lipid levels and the related protein levels of the rats were assessed to understand the effects of MS, AK, and monacolin K on lipid metabolism.
  
  
  RESULTS
  MS and AK lowered low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and preserved high-density lipoprotein cholesterol contents. MS and AK inhibited acetyl-coenzyme A acetyltransferase, microsomal triglyceride transfer protein, and apolipoprotein (apo) B-100 expression, thereby preventing LDL assembly. In addition, enhanced LDL-receptor expression increased the transport of LDL-C to the liver for metabolism. MS and AK also significantly increase apo A1 expression, which facilitates high-density lipoprotein cholesterol formation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Monascus-fermented MS and AK can perform blood lipid regulation via the suppression of LDL-C assembly and stimulation of apo A1 expression in liver.
authors.affiliation: Department of Life Science, National Taitung University, Taitung, Taiwan, ROC.
authors.forename: Chun-Lin
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Life Science, National Taitung University, Taitung, Taiwan, ROC.
authors.forename: Ja-Yan
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Wen
authors.affiliation: R&D Division, SunWay Biotechnology Company Limited, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC.
authors.forename: Ya-Wen
authors.initials: YW
authors.lastname: Hsu
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemical Science and Technology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC. Electronic address: tmpan@ntu.edu.tw.
authors.forename: Tzu-Ming
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Pan
mesh_terms: D000101:Acetyl-CoA C-Acetyltransferase / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D016632:Apolipoprotein A-I / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D053299:Apolipoprotein B-100 / Q000378:metabolism; D001647:Bile Acids and Salts / Q000032:analysis; D001835:Body Weight; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D059305:Diet, High-Fat; D004435:Eating; D005243:Feces / Q000737:chemistry; D005285:Fermentation; D005415:Flavins / Q000378:metabolism*; D006575:Heterocyclic Compounds, 3-Ring / Q000378:metabolism*; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000097:blood; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008099:Liver / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects*; D008148:Lovastatin / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D032741:Monascus / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats
chemical_list: D016632:Apolipoprotein A-I; D053299:Apolipoprotein B-100; D001647:Bile Acids and Salts; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D005415:Flavins; D006575:Heterocyclic Compounds, 3-Ring; D008055:Lipids; C499916:ankaflavin; C106092:microsomal triglyceride transfer protein; D008148:Lovastatin; D000101:Acetyl-CoA C-Acetyltransferase; C517880:monascin
keywords: Monascus; ankaflavin; hyperlipidemia; low density lipoprotein cholesterol; monascin