Ergosterol and β-sitosterol exert cholesterol-lowering effects by enhancing gut microbiota-mediated cholesterol sulfonation and total bile acid excretion in mice

Food & Function 2026

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Authors: Shanli Zhang, Ziwei Huang, Xinhong Wang, Xiaowei Lu, Qingfeng Xie, Zi-Ren Su, Jianhui Xie, Jiannan Chen, Liping Chen
DOI: 10.1039/d5fo03052h
Cited by: 2
References: 52

Abstract

in the gut. Further experiments using the intestinal pseudo-sterility model revealed that the aforementioned effects of ergosterol and β-sitosterol depend on the presence of intestinal microbiota. The findings of this study provide novel insights into the cholesterol-lowering mechanism of ergosterol and β-sitosterol: they enhance cholesterol sulfonation and total bile acid excretion mediated by gut microbiota.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Cholesterol and Lipid Metabolism Gut microbiota and health Sphingolipid Metabolism and Signaling

Publication details

Journal / source
Food & Function
Publisher
Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)
Volume
17
Issue
3
Pages
1568–1587
Publication date
1 January 2026
Language
EN