Resveratrol attenuates the expression of HMG-CoA reductase mRNA in hamsters

We investigated the hypolipidemic effect of resveratrol focused on the mRNA expression and hepatic HMG-CoA reductase (HMGR) activity in hamsters fed a high-fat diet. Male Syrian Golden hamsters were fed a high-fat diet containing 0.025% fenofibrate or 0.025% resveratrol for 8 weeks. The concentrations of serum total cholesterol and triglyceride were significantly lower in the resveratrol-fed group than in the control group. The resveratrol contained diet significantly decreased Apo B, Lp(a), and cholesterol–ester–transport protein (CETP) concentrations, but increased Apo A-I levels and the Apo A-I/Apo B ratio. The contents of cholesterol and triglyceride in hepatic tissue were significantly lower in the resveratrol group than in the control group. Real-time PCR analysis revealed that HMGR mRNA expression was significantly lower in the resveratrol group than in the control group. These results indicate that dietary resveratrol reduces serum cholesterol by down-regulating hepatic HMGR mRNA expression in hamsters fed a high-fat diet.