Hypolipidemic properties of Chlorella pyrenoidosa organic acids via AMPK/HMGCR/SREBP-1c pathway in vivo

The aim of this study was to explore the effects and mechanisms of 95% ethanol extract of Chlorella pyrenoidosa (CPE95) on lipid metabolism in hyperlipidemic rats. For the sake of chemical composition analysis of CPE95, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) was used for determination. After treatment with CPE95, serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol content of the hyperlipidemic rats was increased, while the contents of cholesterol, triglyceride, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were decreased strikingly. Moreover, the result of histopathology analysis showed that the accumulation and fatty deformation of the livers were relieved. Real-time quantitative PCR and Western blotting were used to determine the expression levels of lipid metabolism-related genes. The gene expression level of adenosine 5'-monophosphate-activated protein kinase was descended, and expressions of sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c, acetyl-CoA carboxylase, and 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase were all downregulated in the CPE95-treated rats. It suggested that CPE95 may effectively improve the hyperlipidemia in rats and would be potential for functional food component to reduce blood lipid.

Automated summary

The 95% ethanol extract of Chlorella pyrenoidosa (CPE95) was found to increase serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol content while decreasing cholesterol, triglyceride, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in hyperlipidemic rats. Additionally, CPE95 alleviated liver fat accumulation and deformation, and downregulated the expression of several lipid metabolism-related genes, indicating its potential to effectively improve hyperlipidemia.