Effect of dietary glucosylceramide from sea cucumber on plasma and liver lipids in cholesterol-fed mice

Various physiological functions of dietary glucosylceramides (GlcCer) have been reported, such as preventing colon cancer and improving skin barrier function. One potential GlcCer source used as a foodstuff is sea cucumber. In this study, our objective was to determine the effect of dietary GlcCer prepared from sea cucumber on plasma and liver lipids in cholesterol-fed mice. ICR mice were fed four different diets (control diet, sea cucumber GlcCer supplemented diet, high cholesterol supplemented diet, and high cholesterol ? sea cucumber GlcCer supplemented diet). Dietary GlcCer decreased total cholesterol significantly in ICR mice. The mRNA expression of LDL receptor was increased significantly, while the expression of the gene CYP7A1, which is involved in bile acid formation, was decreased significantly compared with the control (diet without cholesterol). These results suggest that the expression of the cholesterol homeostasis gene in liver is modulated due to the cholesterol lowering effect of dietary GlcCer.