Hexacosanol Reduces Plasma and Hepatic Cholesterol by Activation of AMP-Activated Protein Kinase and Suppression of Sterol Regulatory Element-Binding Protein-2 in HepG2 and C57BL/6 J Mice

Policosanols have hypocholesterolemic activity; however, the molecular mechanism of the policosanol effects is currently poorly characterized. We hypothesized that hexacosanol, a policosanol compound derived from barley sprout may decrease cellular and plasma cholesterol levels; thus investigated hypocholesterolemic activity and mechanism of hexacosanol on both hepatocytes and high-fat-induced obese C57BL/6J mice. The reduction of total, free cholesterol and cholesteryl ester concentrations were confirmed in hexacosanol-stimulated hepatocytes ( −38, −33, and −53%, respectively).
Source: Nutrition Research - Category: Nutrition Authors: Source Type: research