Abstract
Purpose: The use of insects as sustainable food resources is expected (FAO, 2013). Among insects, migratory locust (ML), which was approved as a novel food in the EU in 2021, contains n-3 functional lipids and dietary chitin, which may improve lipid metabolism. Previously, feeding a 10% ML diet to healthy rats resulted in favorable lipid metabolism (Food Chem, 2022). Here, we have investigated the effects of ML on lipid metabolism, particularly on plasma lipoprotein levels, which are involved in the onset and progression of dyslipidemia, in rats with dyslipidemia.
Methods: The ML powder was prepared from TAKEO Co. Male SD rats were fed a high cholesterol, a fructose, or an orotic acid diet. The AIN-93G diet served as a control, and half of the casein in each diet was replaced with ML. Plasma and liver were collected, and then plasma lipids, fatty acid profile, lipoprotein levels, and liver lipid metabolic indices were measured.
Results: The ML reduced total LDL, particularly small-dense LDL, levels in plasma, suggesting that ML ameliorates dyslipidemia by favorably regulating lipoprotein metabolism. α-Linolenic and other n-3 fatty acids were detected in the plasma and liver. These n-3 lipids are suggested to promote hepatic uptake of LDL lipids and reduce LDL lipids in the plasma. The mechanisms by which LDL lipids are prevented from accumulating in the blood are elucidated. In conclusion, ML is expected to be a novel food resource for preventing and improving dyslipidemia.
