Cholesterol-lowering properties of Ganoderma lucidum in vitro, ex vivo, and in hamsters and minipigs

Table 6 Plasma cholesterol and triacylglycerol in minipigs treated with G. lucidum and lovastatin (mmol/L)

Group	TC	TC	TC	TC	TAG	TAG	TAG	TAG	VLDL	VLDL	LDL	LDL	HDL	HDL	LDL/HDL	LDL/HDL
	D1	D14	D21	D29	D1	D14	D21	D29	D14	D29	D14	D29	D14	D29	D14	D29
Gl (2.5%)	2.47^a	3.21^bc	2.81	2.58	0.53	0.57	0.80	0.69	0.07	0.09	1.45^c	1.08	1.69^c	1.42	0.88	0.79
Lovastatin	2.36^a	3.00	2.44	2.81	0.50	0.60	0.59	0.71	0.10	0.09	1.40	1.29	1.50	1.43	0.95	0.91

Lovastatin was administered at 80 mg/d. Between D1-14, all pigs received a high cholesterol and fat control diet; from D15-29, pigs received either G. lucidum (Gl) extract or lovastatin. The same statistical conclusions were reached if all 10 pigs were compared between D1-14. Pigs were randomly selected to receive either GI or lovastatin before study commencement. Student's, paired, 1-tailed, t-test, was utilized for statistical comparisons. Statistically significant changes (P < 0.05, 1-tailed testing) in cholesterol parameters are indicated as follows: ^aD1 vs. 14; ^bD14 vs. 21; ^cD14 vs. 29. Abbreviations: refer to Table 3. There was a slight trend for 2.5% Gl to reduce LDL/HDL ratio between D14-29 (P < 0.11, 1-tailed testing).

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