Guar gum consumption increases hepatic nuclear SREBP2 and LDLr expression in pigs fed an atherogenic diet

The mRNA and protein expression of sterol regulatory element binding protein 2 (SREBP2) and low density lipoprotein receptor (LDLr) were examined in pigs fed an atherogenic control diet or the control diet supplemented with 10% guar gum (GG). Compared to the control group, GG consumption reduced (P<0.05) plasma total cholesterol (27%), LDL cholesterol (37%), and hepatic free cholesterol concentrations. GG consumption increased hepatic LDLr mRNA (1.8 fold, P=0.09) and protein (2 fold, P<0.05) expression in comparison to the control group. Hepatic SREBP2 mRNA expression was not altered (P>0.05) in response to GG consumption. While expression of the cytoplasmic mature form of SREBP2 was similar (P>0.05) between the two groups, GG …