Yongchun Aged Vinegar Powder: Preparation, Characterization, and Effects on Sodium Oleate-Induced Steatosis in HepG2 Cells

Hyperlipidemia is a metabolic disease of significant current concern. Research has demonstrated that hyperlipidemia is a primary risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Furthermore, hyperlipidemia significantly increases the risk of intracellular lipid peroxidation, which further contributes to the development of CVD. Dietary bioactive interventions, including polysaccharides, polyphenols, and organic acids, have demonstrated significant potential in regulating lipid metabolism and preventing chronic diseases. This study investigated the hypoglycemic effects of Yongchun aged vinegar powder (YAVP) using an in vitro model. Considering that the bioactivity of dietary components is influenced by gastrointestinal transit, YAVP was first underwent simulated gastric and intestinal digestion in vitro. The resulting digests were applied to a sodium oleate-induced high-fat HepG2 cell model. The results demonstrated that digested YAVP significantly inhibited intracellular lipid accumulation in a dose-dependent manner. Specifically, YAVP intervention substantially lowered concentrations of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), while simultaneously elevating high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels relative to the model group. These findings suggest that YAVP retains its bioactivity after simulated digestion and exerts potent hypoglycemic effects by regulating lipid profiles in HepG2 cells, supporting its potential as a functional dietary supplement for lipid management.