Germinated brown rice regulates hepatic cholesterol metabolism and cardiovascular disease risk in hypercholesterolaemic rats

White rice (WR) is the staple food for many people around the world, but it is linked to increased risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Brown rice (BR) and germinated brown rice (GBR) are conceived to be the healthier alternatives. The present study evaluated the effects of WR, BR and GBR in the dietary management of CVD. Diet-induced hypercholesterolaemic rats were fed with WR, BR and GBR, in comparison with normal, high-fat diet (HFD) and Simvastatin-treated rats. Weight, lipid profile, plasma oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) and F-2-isoprostane were evaluated. GBR reduced weight gain and improved lipid parameters, ox-LDL and F2-isoprostane, partly through transcriptional regulation of hepatic lipoprotein lipase (LPL), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR gamma), adiponectin, ATP-binding cassette, subfamily A (ABCA), and v-akt murine thymoma viral oncogene homologue land homologue 3 (AICT1 and AKT3). The results suggest GBR could ameliorate CVD risk by modulating lipid metabolism and oxidative stress. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.