RNA-seq-based transcriptome profiling of hawk tea extract (HTE)-fed hypercholesterolemic rat livers

The high-fat diet (HFD)-feeding significantly stimulated hypercholesterolemia in male SD rats. Simultaneous feeding of hawk tea extracts (HTE) reversed the hypercholesterolemia in rats by lowering the serum total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. To understand the molecular mechanism underlying the cholesterol-lowering effects of HTE, we performed the RNA-seq analysis. Consequently, the change in mRNA levels of genes invovled in metabolism of lipid and lipoprotein, primary bile acid synthesis, and ABC transporters itriggered by HFD-feeding were reversed by the co-administration of HTE (200 mg/kg/day for 11 weeks). Liver mRNA profiles of rats fed on ND, HFD, HFD+HTE were generated by RNA sequencing in triplicate per group.