Berberine alleviates cholesterol and bile acid metabolism disorders induced by high cholesterol diet in mice

• Published in: Biochemical and biophysical research communications 2024-07, Vol.719, p.150088, Article 150088
• Main Authors: Wang, Qihan, Shen, Weiyi, Shao, Wentao, Hu, Hai
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Berberine; Bile acids; Cholesterol; Gut microbiota
• ISSN: 0006-291X; 1090-2104; 1090-2104
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2024.150088

Berberine (BBR) is a traditional Chinese herb with broad antimicrobial activity. Gut microbiota plays an important role in the metabolism of bile acids and cholesterol. Our study investigated the effects of BBR on alleviating cholesterol and bile acid metabolism disorders induced by high cholesterol diet in mice. Adult male C57BL/6J mice fed with high cholesterol diet (HC) containing 1.25 % cholesterol (HC group) or fed with chow diet containing 0.02 % cholesterol (Chow group) served as controls. BBR50 and BBR100 group mice were fed with HC, and oral BBR daily at doses of 50 or 100 mg/kg respectively for 8 weeks. The results showed that BBR could reshape the homeostasis and composition of gut microbiota. The abundance of Clostridium genera was significantly inhibited by BBR, which resulted in a significant reduction of secondary bile acids within the enterohepatic circulation and a significant lower hydrophobic index of bile acids. The absorption of cholesterol in intestine, the deposition of cholesterol in liver and the excretion of cholesterol in biliary tract were significantly inhibited by BBR, which promoted the unsaturation of cholesterol in bile. These findings suggest the potential utility of BBR as a functional food to alleviate the negative effects of high cholesterol diet. •Berberine rebuilds the homeostasis of gut microbiota in high cholesterol diet fed mice.•Berberine inhibits Clostridium genera, resulting in less secondary bile acids.•Lower bile acid hydrophobicity inhibits intestinal cholesterol absorption.•Reduced cholesterol excretion of liver results in lower cholesterol saturation of bile.