Concentrated Grape Powder Consumption Modulates Cholesterol Metabolism and Homeostasis in Healthy Subjects

Scope: Four weeks' of concentrated grape powder (GP) consumption reduces circulating cholesterol in healthy free-living subjects consuming a low-fiber/low-polyphenol diet. Here, the study aims to investigate the underlying mechanisms for cholesterol reduction by evaluating biomarkers of cholesterol de novo biosynthesis, intestinal absorption, miRNA involved in transcriptional regulation of cholesterol metabolism, as well as cholesterol oxidation.

Methods and results: Fasting plasma samples collected from 19 healthy free-living subjects at baseline and week 4 of GP consumption are used in this study. Gas chromatography-mass (GC-MS) analysis of plasma samples shows that lathosterol, a precursor of cholesterol synthesis, is significantly decreased after GP consumption indicating reduced cholesterol de novo biosynthesis. Markers of intestinal absorption, campesterol, and β-sitosterol are not changed. Realtime PCR shows that plasma exosomal miRNA-1 is increased after GP consumption. GC-MS also shows that GP consumption reduces the plasma cholesterol oxidation product 27-hydroxycholesterol (27-HC).

Conclusions: This study enhances the understanding of the mechanisms of the cholesterol lowering effects of GP, and provides new insights into the potential health benefits of grape consumption.