Effects and Mechanisms of Phytosterol-oil Bodies Emulsion on Lipid Metabolism of Caenorhabditis elegans

Abstract:

[Objective]This study aims to explore the lipid-lowering effects of the phytosterol-oil bodies emulsion (POE).[Method]Caenorhabditis elegans was taken as a model to evaluate the effects of POE on lipid metabolism, physiological indexes, and expression of genes associated with oxidative stress and fat metabolism.[Result]Compared with the control group, different mass concentrations of POE reduced the mass fraction of fat (P<0.01) and the relative content of triglycerides (P<0.05), without toxicity to the growth and development of C. elegans (P<0.01). At the same time, it significantly reduced the level of reactive oxygen species and increased the levels of antioxidant enzymes. In addition, POE affected the expression levels of genes related to fat metabolism. qPCR results showed that POE up-regulated the mRNA level of sbp-1, while down-regulating the mRNA levels of fat-2, nhr-80, and fat-5 (P<0.05).[Conclusion]POE may improve lipid metabolism by slowing fat deposition, regulating the fat peroxidation pathway, and alleviating oxidative stress in C. elegans.