Abstract: Objective: To investigate the effect of MRPI(Monascus red pigments section I) extracted from Red Kojic on lipidmetabolism in mouse fed with high-fat diet. Methods: According to serum lipids level,48 female Kunming mouse were dividedinto 6 groups: (A)normal control group;(B)high-fat control group;(C)Gpenosides control group; (D) MRPI little dose group; (E)MRPI middle dose group; (F) MRPI high dose group. A group was fed basic diet and the other groups were fed high-fat diet forsix weeks. A and B groups were ig normal water, C groups was ig Gpenosides 20mg/kg•d,and D, E, F groups were ig MRPI10, 50 and 100mg/kg•d respectively .Blood lipid levels were determined after starved 12h. Results: (1) 6w later, serum TC,TG and LDL-C level significantly lower in C,D,E,F groups than in B group. Serum HDL-C level significantly higher in E groupsthan in B group; (2)serum AI level significantly lower in D,E,F groups than in B group.(3)hepatic TC and MDA level significantlylower in C,D,E,F groups than in B group. Conclusion: It suggested that MRPI(Monascus red pigments section I) would affecton lipid metabolism, and might suppress lipid peroxidation effectively and prevent atherosclerosis(AS).

Key words:  MRPI(Monascus red pigments section I), lovastatin, cholesterol, triglyceride, lipioprotein, atherosclerosis