Broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica) Sprouts and Extracts Rich in Glucosinolates and Isothiocyanates Affect Cholesterol Metabolism and Genes Involved in Lipid Homeostasis in Hamsters

摘要

This study investigated the effects of broccoli sprouts (BS) on sterol and lipid homeostasis in Syrian hamsters with dietary-induced hypercholesterolemia. Treatments included rreeze-dried BS containing 2 or 20 μmpl of glucoraphanine (BSX, BS10X), glucoraphanine-rich BS extract (GRE), sulforaphane-rich BS extract (SFE), and simvastatin. Each experimental diet was offered to eight animals (male and female) for 7 weeks. Hepatic cholesterol was reduced by BS 10X and SFE treatments in all animals. This correlated with a down-regulation of gene expression of sterol regulatory element-binding proteins (SREBP-1 and -2) and fatty acid synthase (FAS) caused by GRE and SFE diets. BS10X caused changes in gene expression in a gender-specific manner; additionally, it increased coprostanol excretion in females. With the same concentration of glucoraphanin, consumption of broccoli sprouts (BS10X) had more marked effects on cholesterol homeostasis than GREj this finding reinforces the importance of the matrix effects on the bioactivity of functional ingredients.