New Inhibitory Effect of Latilactobacillus sakei UONUMA on the Cholesterol Biosynthesis Pathway in Human HepG2 Cells.

Many pharmaceuticals and dietary foods have been reported to inhibit cholesterol biosynthesis, mainly by inhibiting the presqualene enzyme 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA (HMG-CoA) reductase rather than a postsqualene enzyme. In this study, we examined the inhibitory effects of Latilactobacillus sakei UONUMA on cholesterol biosynthesis, especially postsqualene, in human HepG2 hepatoma cells. We quantified cholesterol and its precursors, and the mRNA and protein levels of enzymes involved in cholesterol biosynthesis. Three L. sakei UONUMA strains exhibited new inhibitory effects on cholesterol biosynthesis and inhibited the mRNA level of sterol-delta24-reductase (DHCR24), which is involved in the postsqualene cholesterol biosynthesis pathway. These strains will be useful for the prevention and treatment of hyperlipidemia.