Abstract

The flavonoid naringin was investigated for its differential effects on hepatic cholesterol regulation when supplemented for 3 weeks and 6 weeks. Sprague-Dawley rats were fed a high-fat and high-cholesterol diet with or without 0.02% naringin supplement for 3 or 6 weeks. Supplementation with naringin resulted in a significant decrease in the plasma cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations in the 6-week trial. Although high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol was not altered in either trial, the HDL-cholesterol/total cholesterol ratio (in percent) was significantly higher, and the atherogenic index was significantly lower in the naringin-supplemented groups in the 6-week trial. The hepatic cholesterol content was also lowered by naringin supplementation only in the 6-week trial. The hepatic 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase activity was lower in the rats supplemented with naringin for 6 weeks, while the hepatic acyl-coenzyme A:cholesterol acyltransferase activity was lower in both the 3-week and 6-week trials. Results indicate that supplementation with naringin for 3 weeks did not exhibit a hypolipidemic effect when given with a HFHC diet. Naringin can, however, be beneficial for lowering hepatic cholesterol biosynthesis and levels of plasma lipids when supplemented for 6 weeks in this animal model.