Freshwater Clam Extract Ameliorates Triglyceride and Cholesterol Metabolism through the Expression of Genes Involved in Hepatic Lipogenesis and Cholesterol Degradation in Rats.

The freshwater clam (Corbicula spp.) is a popular edible bivalve and has been used as a folk remedy for liver disease in Asia. As a Chinese traditional medicine, it is said that freshwater clam ameliorates alcoholic intoxication and cholestasis.

A Freshwater clam (Corbicula fluminea) extract reduces cholesterol level and hepatic lipids in normal rats and xenobiotics-induced hypercholesterolemic rats.

We investigated whether a freshwater clam (Corbicula fluminea) extract (FCE) could improve cholesterol metabolism and hepatic lipids accumulation in rats fed xenobiotics such as chloretone. Feeding chloretone resulted in hypercholesterolemia and fatty liver. An increase in serum cholesterol, high density lipoproteins (HDL) in particular, after intake of chloretone was observed.

A freshwater clam (Corbicula fluminea) extract improves cholesterol metabolism in rats fed on a high-cholesterol diet.

The effect of a freshwater clam (Corbicula fluminea) extract (FCE) on cholesterol metabolism in rats fed on a high-cholesterol diet was investigated. When rats were fed various amounts of FCE in addition to the high-cholesterol diet for 2 wk, the serum and hepatic cholesterol levels were gradually reduced in a dose-dependent manner, as compared with the control group. The excretion of neutral sterols and bile acids into the feces was increased by feeding FCE.