Dietary D-allulose alters cholesterol metabolism in Golden Syrian hamsters partly by reducing serum PCSK9 levels

D-Allulose, a C-3 epimer of D-fructose, is a rare sugar reported to be a non-caloric sweetener having several health beneficial effects including anti-hyperglycemia and anti-obesity. However, the impact of dietary D-allulose on cholesterol metabolism remains unclear. Therefore, we studied the effects of D-allulose on the cholesterol metabolism of Golden Syrian hamsters, an animal model with a lipid metabolism similar to that of humans. Hamsters received either normal diet (ND) or high-fat diet (HFD) with or without 3% D-allulose for 4 or 8 weeks. While there were no significant differences in total serum cholesterol levels between the groups, D-allulose significantly increased HDL-cholesterol levels in ND-fed hamsters and decreased LDL-cholesterol levels in HFD-fed hamsters, causing an overall decrease in the LDL/HDL ratio. Furthermore, dietary D-allulose decreased serum proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) levels in both diets. In conclusion, D-allulose may favorably modulate cholesterol metabolism by reducing PCSK9 in hamsters.