The Effects of the Extract from Peanut Meal Fermented with Bacillus natto and Monascus on Lipid Metabolism and Intestinal Barrier Function of Hyperlipidemia in Mice.

BACKGROUND Hyperlipidemia is one of the metabolic disorders posing great threat to human health. This study is aimed to investigate the potential hypolipidemic properties of extract from peanut meal fermented with Bacillus natto and Monascus in mice fed with high-fat diet (HFD). Herein, sixty male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into 6 groups: Control groups: normal group (N), model group (M), positive control group (atorvastatin 10 mg kg ^-1, Ato), nonfermented peanut meal extract group (NF, 150 mg kg ^-1). Experimental groups: fermented peanut meal extract low-dose group (FL, 50 mg kg ^-1), fermented peanut meal extract high-dose group (FH, 150 mg kg ^-1). RESULTS Body weight (P=0.001), levels of serum total cholesterol (TC) (P=0.007), triacylglycerol (TG) (P=0.040), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (P<0.001) and leptin (P<0.001) were remarkably decreased in FH group, while the serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels were increased (P<0.001) by 78.3% comparing with M group. The ileum tissue with HE staining showed that the ileal villus detachments in mice were improved, the villus height was increased by supplementation with extract from fermented peanut meal. Moreover, the expressions of intestinal ZO-1 (P=0.003) and Occludin (P=0.013) were elevated in FH group, compared to M group. CONCLUSION The extract of peanut meal fermented by Bacillus natto and Monascus can effectively improve hyperlipidemia caused by HFD in mice via regulating leptin and blood lipid levels, and protecting intestinal mucosal barrier, which can provide evidence for its anti-hyperlipidemia effects and research basis for potential industrial development. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.