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.