Hypolipidemic potential of squid homogenate irrespective of a relatively high content of cholesterol

BACKGROUND: Our previous study has shown that regardless of a relatively high amount of cholesterol, squid homogenate lowers serum and hepatic cholesterol in animals. Since this work, we have developed a new method to inhibit autolysis of squid proteins with sodium citrate. This study aims to investigate how squid homogenate prepared with sodium citrate affects lipid metabolism in Sprague–Dawley rats at the molecular level. METHODS: We prepared squid homogenate with sodium citrate to inhibit autolysis of squid protein. In Experiment 1 (Exp. 1), rats were given a cholesterol-free control diet or a squid diet, with squid homogenate added at the level of 5% as dietary protein for 4 weeks. Blood, the liver and adipose tissue were taken after 6 hours fasting. Serum and hepatic lipids and activities of enzymes related to lipid metabolism were measured. In Experiment 2 (Exp. 2), the above-mentioned diets had cholesterol added at the level of 0.1% and given to rats. Lipid parameters, enzyme activities, and gene expression of proteins involved in lipid metabolism in the liver and the small intestine were determined. In addition, feces were collected for two days at the end of Exp. 2 to measure fecal excretion of steroids. RESULTS: In Exp.1, serum triglyceride and cholesterol were ~50% and ~20% lower, respectively, in the squid diet-fed rats than in the control diet-fed animals while hepatic cholesterol was ~290% higher in the squid diet-fed rats. When cholesterol was included into the diets (Exp. 2), serum lipids were significantly lower in the squid group while no difference of hepatic lipid was seen between two groups. Activities of hepatic lipogenic enzymes were significantly lower in rats on the squid diet while the enzyme responsible for fatty acid oxidation was not modified (Expt. 1 and 2). Hepatic level of mRNA of microsomal triglyceride transfer protein was significantly lower in the squid group. In the small intestine, the squid diet exhibited significantly lower gene expression of proteins involved in fatty acid transport and cholesterol absorption. Fecal secretion of acidic steroids, but not neutral steroids, was higher in rats fed the squid diet than in those fed the control diet. CONCLUSION: These results imply that newly-developed squid homogenate has hypolipidemic potential primarily through decreased absorption of bile acids in the small intestine and suppressed lipogenesis in the liver.