Abstract:In this study, the ameliorating effect of rice oil on the cholesterol metabolism of golden hamster was investigated. Taking golden hamsters as the experimental objects, the effects of lard and rice oil on the cholesterol metabolism in the livers of golden hamsters were examined, n order to provide a scientific theoretical basis for residents to choose edible oils. Thirty Syrian golden hamsters were selected and randomly divided into two groups, which were fed 15% fat in form of lard oil (LD) and rice oil (RD), respectively. The body weight and feed intake were calculated every week. After 12 weeks of feeding, the animals were dissected and the sera were separated for determining the biochemical indexes. The aorta and liver were taken for hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. RT-qPCR was used to detect the mRNA expression levels of CYP27A1, LDLrDLr, SR-BI, SLC27A5, sulfotransferase 2A1 and AQP8 in the liver tissues. The results showed that compared with the lard group, the LDL-C level in the serum and the TC content in the liver of golden hamsters of the rice oil group decreased by 46.78% and 41.73%, respectively. Rice oil could improve the pathological morphology of the liver, reduced liver injury, while up-regulating the expressions of LDLr, SR-BI, CYP27A1, SLC27A5, Sulfotransferase 2A1, AQP8 and other genes in the liver tissues of the golden hamsters. The expression levels of LDLr, CYP27A1 and AQP8 increased to 2.04, 2.14 and 2.83 times, respectively. These genes are associated with cholesterol and bile acid metabolism, and their increased expressions can reduce the body’s cholesterol and bile acids. Conclusion: Compared with edible lard, rice oil can improve blood lipid level, reduce liver damage and inhibit high cholesterol in golden hamsters. The cholesterol-lowering mechanism of rice oil is that it can regulate the expressions of genes related to cholesterol and bile acid metabolism in the liver tissues.