Amylomyces rouxii strain CBS 438.76 affects cholesterol metabolism in cholesterol-fed rats

We examined the effects of Amylomyces rouxii, which is a mold found in some fermented foods in Indonesia, on serum cholesterol and hepatic LDL receptor mRNA in rats. Rats were fed a 0.5% cholesterol-enriched diet with (A. rouxii group) or without (control group) 30 g/kg A. rouxii for 4 wk. There were no significant differences in the body weight, food intake or liver weight among the groups. However, the weight of the cecum in the A. rouxii-fed group was significantly higher than that in the control group. The cecal pH in the A. rouxii-fed group was significantly lower than that in the control group. Cecal acetic acid, propionic acid and total SCFA concentrations in the A. rouxii-fed group were significantly higher than those in the control group. The serum total cholesterol and VLDL+intermediate density lipoprotein (IDL)+LDL-cholesterol concentrations in the control group were significantly higher than those in the A. rouxii-fed group at the end of the 4-wk feeding period. There were no significant differences in the HDL-cholesterol or triglyceride concentrations between the groups. The hepatic LDL receptor and cholesterol 7alpha-hydroxylase mRNA levels in the A. rouxii-fed group were significantly higher than those in the control group. The results of this study demonstrate that feeding of A. rouxii lowers the serum total cholesterol level by enhancement of the cecal SCFA concentration and the hepatic LDL receptor mRNA.