Intake of up to 3 Eggs/Day does not Impact Expression of Genes Related to Cholesterol Homeostasis, Uptake, and Transport in a Healthy Population

Abstract

Eggs are a main dietary source of cholesterol and choline, two nutrients that have at times been controversial. In both cases, the nutrient itself – or its byproduct(s) – is capable of regulating the expression of genes related to the risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Therefore, concern exists as to whether regular egg intake may unfavorably alter these pathways and increase CVD risk. Pathways of concern include cholesterol synthesis (3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase – HMGCR;24-dehydrocholesterol reductase – DHCR24), cholesterol transport (ATP-binding cassette transporter - ABCA1; LDL receptor - LDLR; scavenger receptor B1 - SCARB1), macrophage cholesterol uptake (cluster of differentiation 36 - CD36; scavenger receptor A - SRA), and synthesis of trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO), a choline-derivedproatherogenic compound and product of flavin monoxygenase 3(FMO3).