A method of treating hypercholesterolemia in mammals, by administering an effective amount of a microbial fermentation product, and regulating genes involved in lipoprotein metabolism. A method of regulating cholesterol levels in a patient by administering an effective amount of a composition chosen from the group consisting of PAZ, specific components isolated from PAZ, chemically synthesized analogues of the components of PAZ, and regulating genes involved in lipoprotein metabolism. A method of treating high cholesterol levels in an individual by administering an effective amount of a microbial fermentation product, up-regulating the expression of at least one of the genes that encode ABCA1, ApoA1, and SRB1, and down-regulating the gene that encodes CETP. A method of preventing the onset of high cholesterol levels and/or a deleterious lipoprotein profile in an individual.
