Fig. 2

The mRNA expression levels of genes related to cholesterol homoeostasis in PBMCs. Hamsters were fed with a STD or a high-fat diet for 30 days and received a daily oral dose of GSPE (25 mg per kg body weight) (the STD-GSPE and HFD-GSPE groups) or vehicle (the STD and HFD groups) for the last 15 days. The gene expression results represent the mean ± SEM (n = 7–8) of the ratios of specific mRNA levels to β-actin, expressed as a percentage versus the STD group which was set to 100 %. D the effect of the type of diet; T the effect of GSPE treatment (two-way ANOVA, p < 0.05). ^ab Mean values with unlike letters were significantly different among groups (one-way ANOVA and LSD post hoc test, p < 0.05). Abca1, ATP-binding cassette, sub-family A (ABC1), member 1; Abcg1, ATP-binding cassette, sub-family G (WHITE), member 1; Acat1, Acat1 acetyl-CoA acetyltransferase 1; Acat2, Acat2 acetyl-CoA acetyltransferase 2; Hmgcr, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase; Hmgcs1, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA synthase 1 (soluble); Lss, lanosterol synthase (2,3-oxidosqualene-lanosterol cyclase); Ldlr, low-density lipoprotein receptor; Srb1, scavenger receptor class B, member 1; Srebp2, sterol regulatory element-binding protein 2