Hypolipidemic activity of Phellinus rimosus against triton WR-1339 and high cholesterol diet induced hyperlipidemic rats

Patients with the risk for atherosclerotic disease will be targeted to reduce the existing hyperlipidemia. The hypolipidemic activity of Phellinus rimosus was studied using triton WR-1339 and high cholesterol diet (HCD) induced models. The triton induced elevated lipid profile was attenuated by P. rimosus or standard drug atorvastatin. Similarly, administration of P. rimosus along with HCD significantly decline serum triglyceride, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, with elevating the high-density lipoprotein. Thiobarbituric acid reacting substances in heart and liver significantly decreased; where as activity of enzymatic antioxidants and level of reduced glutathione were significantly increased. In both models, P. rimosus extract showed a significant ameliorative effect on the elevated atherogenic index as well as LDL/HDL-C ratio. The hypolipidemic activity of P. rimosus can be ascribed to its inhibitory effect on the liver HMG CoA reductase activity. The results suggest the possible therapeutic potential of this fungus as hypolipidemic agent.     

Anti-obesity effects of hot water extract and high hydrostatic pressure extract of garlic in rats fed a high-fat diet

The effects of hot water extract of garlic (WEG) and high hydrostatic pressure extract of garlic (HEG) on obesity were investigated in rats fed a high-fat (HF) diet. Supplementation with HEG significantly reduced body weight gain and adipose tissue mass compared to those in the HF group, whereas WEG did not. Serum levels of triglycerides, total cholesterol, and LDL-cholesterol were also decreased in the HEG supplemented group compared to those in the HF group. The level of fecal triglyceride in the HEG group was higher compared to that in the HF group. The mRNA levels of adipogenic genes, such as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ), sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c), and fatty acid-binding protein (aP2) were significantly decreased in both the WEG and HEG groups. Additionally, uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) mRNA were increased clearly in the HEG group compared to that in the HF group. These results suggested that HEG more efficiently reduced body weight gain than WEG, at least partially mediated by increase of the fecal triglyceride and downregulation of adipogenic genes expression together with upregulation of UCP2 gene expression in rats fed a high-fat diet.     

Effect of lignin-derived lignophenols on hepatic lipid metabolism in rats fed a high-fat diet

The effect of lignin-derived lignophenols on lipid metabolism in the livers of rats fed a high-fat diet was investigated. Rats fed a diet providing 45% of energy from fat were divided into 2 groups, namely 0% and 0.5% lignophenols-containing diets. The controls were fed a diet providing 10% of energy from fat. Plasma blood parameters, protein expression of acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) and sterol regulatory element-binding protein (SREBP)-1, and SREBP-1c mRNA expression in the livers were examined. The plasma triglyceride levels in the rats fed lignophenols-containing diets were decreased. SREBP-1c mRNA expression in the rats fed lignophenols-containing diets was significantly reduced compared with the rats fed high-fat diets, and phosphorylated ACC protein in the rats fed lignophenols-containing diets was significantly increased. Our results suggested that lignophenols suppress the expression of SREBP-1c mRNA and the phosphorylation of ACC in the liver, and may lead to a decrease in plasma triglyceride levels.     

Hypolipidemic effects of different angiocarp parts of Alpinia zerumbet

Context: In utilization of Alpinia zerumbet (Pers.) Burtt and Smith (Zingiberaceae) (AZ), usually the angiocarps are discarded without further use.

Objective: We speculate whether the angiocarps could show hypolipidemic effect.

Methods and methods: Several diets were prepared: Alpinia seed powder (ASP); Alpinia seed powder/husk (ASH): 40/60; and Alpinia seed essential oil (ASO): 0.01–0.10%. Sprague-Dawley rats divided into 11 groups were fed these diets for 8 weeks and tested for the hypolipidemic bioactivity.

Results: The fecal neutral cholesterol excretion was increased, and the serum total triglyceride (TG) was significantly reduced from 153.7?mg/dL in the high-fat group (H) to 114.3–119.8?mg/dL by ASO; to 116.3–147.9?mg/dL by ASP; and to 116.2–145.3?mg/dL by ASH. Activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) were almost unaffected. The high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels were mostly raised by ASO to 180.3–200.8?mg/dL. The low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels were mostly reduced to 66.8–82.6?mg/dL by ASH. The level of arachidonic acid was mostly raised to 0.50–0.60% by ASO, compared with 0.37% of group H. More importantly, the significant reduction in hepatic TG and total cholesterol (TC) implicated a crucial liver protective effect.

Discussion and conclusion: ASP and ASH consisted of high crude-fiber content, while ASO consisted of seed essential oil. Both the seed essential oil and the whole powder of AZ previously had been reported to possess potent hypolipidemic bioactivity. Conclusively, the hypolipidemic effect can be attributed to the combined effect of the essential oil and the crude fiber.     

线粒体辅酶Q改善高脂饮食大鼠肾血流动力学的研究

目的探讨线粒体辅酶Q(MitoQ,Mitoquinone)对高脂饮食大鼠肾血流灌注的影响。方法 8周龄雄性SD大鼠30只,随机分成模型组(H组,n=10)、治疗组(HM组,n=10)和对照组(N组,n=10)。N组喂食基础饲料,H组、HM组喂食高脂饲料。9周后,HM组自饮水中加入MitoQ。三组大鼠继续喂养10周后进行肾脏声学造影检查,并检测大鼠血生化及肾组织丙二醛(MDA)含量,比较各指标的组间差异。结果与N组及HM组比较,H组大鼠肾皮质达峰时间(TTOP)延长,增强强度(A)及充盈速度(C)下降(P<0.01),总胆固醇(TC)、三酰甘油(TG)及低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-c)均明显增高(P<0.01),HM组与H组比较,以上各指标明显改善。H组血清及肾组织丙二醛(MDA)含量明显高于HM组及N组(P<0.01)。结论 MitoQ可降低机体内过氧化物含量,改善高脂饮食大鼠肾血流动力学状态。     

Supplementation of whole persimmon leaf improves lipid profiles and suppresses body weight gain in rats fed high-fat diet.

The objective of this study was to investigate the hypolipidemic effects of powdered whole persimmon leaf supplement in rats fed high-fat diet. Three groups of male Sprague-Dawley rats during 6 weeks were fed different diet: normal control (NC), high-fat (HF), and high-fat supplemented with powdered whole persimmon leaf (PL; 5%, wt/wt) groups. Body weight and relative weight of interscapular brown adipose tissue were significantly lower in the PL group than in the HF group, while plasma leptin concentration was higher. The supplementation of persimmon leaf significantly lowered the plasma total cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations, whereas elevated the ratio of HDL-C/total-C and improved the atherogenic index. Persimmon leaf supplementation led the hepatic cholesterol and triglyceride values to similar levels to the NC group. Accumulation of hepatic lipid droplets and the epididymal white adipocyte size of PL group were diminished comparing to the HF group. Hepatic HMG-CoA and ACAT activities were significantly higher in the PL group than in other groups. Contents of fecal triglyceride, cholesterol and acidic sterol were significantly higher in the PL group than in the HF group. Accordingly, we suggest that supplementation of the powdered whole persimmon leaf improves plasma and hepatic lipid levels profile partly via the increased fecal lipids in high-fat fed rats. These beneficial effects may be due to the properties of its phenolic compounds (1.15 g/100g) and high fiber (63.48 g/100g) content in the powdered persimmon leaf.     

Hypolipidemic effects of a new piperine derivative GB-N from Piper longum in high-fat diet-fed rats

Context: Long pepper, Piper longum Linn. (Piperaceae), is widely used in traditional Mongolian medicine for treating hyperlipidemia and coronary heart disease.

Objective: To investigate the hypolipidemic effects of a new piperine derivative GB-N isolated from long pepper in high-fat diet-fed rats.

Methods: The levels of serum total cholesterol, triacylglycerols (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were determined by enzymatic colorimetric method. The levels of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA), CYP7A1, lecithin cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) and LDL receptor (LDLR) mRNA and protein expression were detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis.

Results and discussion: Compared with model rats, oral administration of GB-N at doses of 2.5–10?mg/kg to hyperlipidemic rats could significantly decrease the levels of serum TG from 1.54 mmol/L in hyperlipidemic rats to 0.94–1.02 mmol/L, with an increase in serum HDL-C levels from 0.40 mmol/L in hyperlipidemic rats to 1.21–2.26 mmol/L. Treatment with GB-N (10?mg/kg) could also significantly upregulate levels of hepatic HMG-CoA reductase, CYP7A1, LCAT and LDLR mRNA and protein expression.

Conclusion: GB-N had hypolipidemic activity via regulating lipid metabolism pathways in liver of hyperlipidemic rats and could be explored as a potential agent for the prevention of hyperlipidemia diseases.     

Sesamin improves endothelial dysfunction in renovascular hypertensive rats fed with a high-fat, high-sucrose diet

Paroxonase 1 (PON1) is an antiatherogenic enzyme which is also an organophosphate hydrolyzer. It has crucial roles in detoxification of highly toxic substances and protecting LDL against oxidation. Decrease in the levels of this enzyme is a great risk for the patients with cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus, chronic renal failure, rheumatoid arthritis, hyperthyroidism, and age-related macular degeneration. Therefore, inhibitors and activators of PON1 must be well-characterized, and drug studies would be a good starting point in this regard. Moreover, purification of PON1 has been a challenge for scientists due to its tight association with HDL. Here we report the purification of human serum PON1 using very simple methods and investigation of the interactions between the enzyme and some commonly used antibiotics. We purified PON1 from human serum with a high specific activity, and used the pure enzyme for inhibition studies. We observed that some antibiotics inhibit the enzyme at very low doses while some are efficient at higher doses. The antibiotics exhibited different inhibition mechanisms. We concluded that usage of these antibiotics would be very dangerous in some cases.     

大蒜油对喂饲高脂饲料大鼠血脂的影响

目的研究大蒜油降血脂功能。方法分别以0.117g.kg-1BW、0.234g.kg-1BW和0.702g.kg-1BW给予大鼠灌胃大蒜油,对照组给予等量的大豆油溶剂,灌胃的同时对大鼠喂饲高脂饲料30天,了解给药前后血清TC、TG、HDL-C变化。结果 0.234g.kg-1BW可降低大鼠血清TG,0.117g.kg-1BW、0.234g.kg-1BW和0.702g.kg-1BW均可降低大鼠血清TC。结论大蒜油具有降低血脂功能。     

Upregulation of fatty acyl-CoA thioesterases in the heart and skeletal muscle of rats fed a high-fat diet

In rodent models of diet-induced obesity, prolonged high-fat feeding increases the cellular uptake of fatty acids and causes lipotoxicity in the heart and skeletal muscle, where substrate overload to beta-oxidation generates mitochondrial stress. We examined the hypothesis that, because of its catalytic properties, acyl-CoA thioesterase (ACOT) would counteract these detrimental situations by modulating intracellular acyl-CoA levels. Rats were fed a low- or high-fat diet for up to 20 weeks, and the expressions of ACOT isoforms and fatty acid beta-oxidation enzymes were analyzed by western blotting. The expressions of ACOT1, ACOT2 and ACOT7 proteins in the heart and soleus muscle were significantly increased, by 2.0-7.6-fold, in rats fed the high-fat diet as compared with the low-fat diet group. These effects were accompanied by increases in carnitine palmitoyltransferase and acyl-CoA oxidase expression. However, ACOT was not induced in the extensor digitorum longus muscle or the liver. Subcellular fractionation of heart and soleus muscle homogenates confirmed expression of both the cytosolic and mitochondrial ACOT isoforms. These results underscore the functional relationship between ACOT and fatty acid oxidation, and suggest adaptive upregulation of ACOT to protect against fatty acid oversupply in the heart and skeletal muscle.     

芝麻素对肾性高压伴高脂高糖饮食大鼠的抗脂毒作用

观察芝麻素对肾性高压伴高脂高糖饮食大鼠的抗脂毒作用。两肾一夹术和高脂高糖饮食13周诱导复合模型大鼠34只, 于第5周开始连续灌胃给予芝麻素 (120、60及30 mg·kg⁻¹·d⁻¹) 8周。测定血压、血脂、血糖、游离脂肪酸、胰岛素、TNF-α和IL-6水平; 半定量分析胰腺、肾周脂肪、肝脏病理学改变。结果发现, 芝麻素 (120及60 mg·kg⁻¹·d⁻¹) 能降低模型大鼠血压、血脂、血糖、TNF-α、IL-6和FFA水平; 改善胰岛素抵抗和糖耐量异常; 减轻体重、内脏脂肪、胰腺和肝脏湿重及其脏器指数; 减少胰岛细胞增生和脂肪及肝脏细胞中脂滴空泡的数目。提示芝麻素具有抗脂毒作用, 其机制可能与肝细胞脂质沉积减轻、脂肪依赖炎症因子TNF-α和IL-6的释放减少以及减轻胰岛素抵抗有关。     

Carnitine palmitoyl transferase-I inhibition is not associated with cardiac hypertrophy in rats fed a high-fat diet

1. Cardiac lipotoxicity is characterized by hypertrophy and contractile dysfunction and can be triggered by impaired mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation and lipid accumulation. The present study investigated the effect of dietary fatty acid intake alone and in combination with inhibition of mitochondrial fatty acid uptake with the carnitine palmitoyl transferase (CPT)-I inhibitor oxfenicine. Long-chain fatty acids activate peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPAR), thus mRNA levels of PPAR target genes were measured. 2. Rats were untreated or given the CPT-I inhibitor oxfenicine (150 mg/kg per day) and were fed for 8 weeks with either: (i) standard low-fat chow (10% of energy from fat); (ii) a long-chain saturated fatty acid diet; (iii) a long-chain unsaturated fatty acid diet; or (iv) a medium-chain fatty acid diet (which bypasses CPT-I). High-fat diets contained 60% of energy from fat. 3. Cardiac triglyceride content was increased in the absence of oxfenicine in the saturated fat group compared with other diets. Oxfenicine treatment further increased cardiac triglyceride stores in the saturated fat group and caused a significant increase in the unsaturated fat group. Despite elevations in triglyceride stores, left ventricular mass, end diastolic volume and systolic function were unaffected. 4. The mRNA levels of PPAR-regulated genes were increased by the high saturated and unsaturated fat diets compared with standard chow or the medium chain fatty acid chow. Oxfenicine did not further upregulate PPARalpha target genes within each dietary treatment group. 5. Taken together, the data suggest that consuming a high-fat diet or inhibiting CPT-I do not result in cardiac hypertrophy or cardiac dysfunction in normal rats.     

Effects of Bacillus polyfermenticus SCD on lipid and antioxidant metabolisms in rats fed a high-fat and high-cholesterol diet

Bacillus polyfermenticus SCD, commonly referred to as Bispan strain, is used as a host in bioindustry and has been shown to have several human health benefits. In a recent in vitro study, we discovered that B. polyfermenticus SCD exerts cholesterol-lowering and antioxidant effects. Here, we evaluate the effects of B. polyfermenticus SCD on the lipid and antioxidant metabolisms of hypercholesterolemic rats. Twenty male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into two groups after a 1-week adaptation period and were fed for 6 weeks on either a high fat-high cholesterol diet, or a high fat-high cholesterol diet supplemented with B. polyfermenticus SCD (3.1x10(6) cfu/d). B. polyfermenticus SCD significantly reduced plasma low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol, hepatic total cholesterol, and triglycerides, while increasing the fecal excretion rates of total cholesterol and triglycerides. In addition, B. polyfermenticus SCD might reduce the risk of atherosclerosis, as the ratio of high-density-lipoprotein cholesterol to total cholesterol was significantly higher than in the control group. B. polyfermenticus SCD led to an increase in total radical trapping antioxidant potential (TRAP) and a decrease in conjugated dienes in plasma. The erythrocytic glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity in the B. polyfermenticus group was significantly lower than that in the control group. Plasma TRAP levels exhibited a highly significant negative correlation with hepatic total cholesterol and a marginally significant negative correlation with total plasma cholesterol, while a significant positive correlation was detected between fecal total cholesterol and plasma TRAP. These results suggest that B. polyfermenticus SCD exerts significant health benefits through the modulation of physiologic functions including a variety of atherogenic lipid profiles and antioxidants in hypercholesterolemia.     

Effects of swimming exercise and soybean supplementation on the immune functions of rats fed a high-fat diet

1. In the present study, the effects of swimming exercise and soybean supplementation on the immune functions of rats fed a high-fat diet were examined. 2. Thirty-four male rats were randomly divided into four groups: (i) HS, a high-fat diet sedentary group (n = 8); (ii) HE, a high-fat diet exercised group (n = 9); (iii) SS, a soybean diet sedentary group (n = 8); and (iv) SE, a soybean diet exercised group (n = 9). The high-fat diet was composed of 35% carbohydrate, 20% protein and 35% fat. For the soybean diet, 3% crude soybean extract was substituted for the protein, carbohydrate and fat according to the energy content of the diet. In the exercise groups, rats swam for 60 min/day, 5 days/week for 4 weeks. 3. The subpopulation of CD4(+) cells and the CD4(+)/CD8(+) ratio did not differ significantly between the high-fat diet and soybean diet groups. However, the subpopulation of CD8(+) cells in the spleens of SS rats was significantly higher than that in the spleens of HS rats (P < 0.05). In addition, splenic interferon-gamma secretion in the SE group, with or without conconavalin A stimulation, was significantly increased compared with the SS group (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively). 4. These results show that regular endurance exercise training with soybean supplementation ameliorates splenic T cell-mediated immunity.     

Gynura procumbens ethanol extract improves vascular dysfunction by suppressing inflammation in postmenopausal rats fed a high-fat diet

ContextGynura procumbens (Lour.) Merr. (Asteraceae) has been reported to have various pharmacological activities including anti-inflammatory effects.ObjectiveThis study sought to determine whether Gynura procumbens (GP) could improve vascular reactivity by suppressing inflammation in postmenopausal rats fed with five-times heated palm oil (5HPO) diet.Materials and methodsForty-eight female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham [non-ovariectomized; grouped as control, GP extracts (250 and 500 mg/kg), atorvastatin (ATV, 10 mg/kg)] and postmenopausal (PM) groups [ovariectomized rats fed with 5HPO; grouped as PM, GP extracts (250 and 500 mg/kg) and ATV (10 mg/kg)]. Each group (n = 6) was either supplemented with GP extract or ATV orally once daily for 6 months.ResultsIn comparison with the untreated PM group, 250 and 500 mg/kg GP supplementation to PM groups reduced the systolic blood pressure (103 ± 2.7, 86 ± 2.4 vs. 156 ± 7.83 mmHg, p < 0.05), intima-media thickness (101.28 ± 3.4, 93.91 ± 2.93 vs. 143.78 ± 3.31 µM), vasoconstriction percentage induced by phenylephrine (102.5%, 88.3%, vs. 51.8%), sICAM-1 (0.49, 0.26 vs. 0.56 pg/mL) and sVCAM-1 (0.39, 0.25 vs. 0.45 pg/mL). GP extract supplementation increased vasorelaxation percentage induced by acetylcholine (78.4% vs. 47.3%) and sodium nitroprusside (84.2% vs. 53.7%), increased changes in plasma nitric oxide level (1.25%, 1.31% vs. 1.9%), and suppressed the elevation of TNF-α (0.39 vs. 1.02 pg/mL), IL-6 (0.43 vs. 0.77 pg/mL) and CRP (0.29 vs. 0.69 ng/mL) in the PM groups.ConclusionsGP extract might improve vascular dysfunction by suppressing the inflammatory response, consequently preventing blood pressure elevation.     

西红花苷调血脂作用的实验和临床研究

目的：观察西红花苷的调脂作用。方法：应用高脂饲料复制的大鼠、兔、鹌鹑高脂血症模型及高脂血症患者,测定西红花苷给药后血脂的变化。结果：西红花苷有效防治大鼠、鹌鹑高脂血症的形成,对脂质紊乱的家兔有显著的治疗作用,采用双盲对照的240例患者中,降低TC总有效率为76．92％,降低TG总有效率为67．92％,升高HDL—C总有效率为57．78％,对中医证候总有效率为82．95％。结论：西红花苷具有显著的调血脂作用,血脉清片为高脂血症患者又一新选择。     

Hypolipidemic effects of chitosan nanoparticles in hyperlipidemia rats induced by high fat diet

The aim of this study was to investigate the hypolipidemic effects of chitosan nanoparticles(CTS-NP) preparations with ionotropic gelation, rotary evaporation, and spray-drying technique. Male SD (Sprague-Dawley) rats were separated into five groups, a normal diet group, a high fat emulsions group, a CTS control group and CTS-NP groups treated with two different doses of CTS-NP. The nanoparticles were spherical in shape and had a smooth surface. The size range of the nanoparticles was between 500 and 1000 nm. The apparent serum lipid and plasma viscosity in CTS-NP group was significantly lower than that in the CTS group, as well as the serum superoxide dismutate (SOD) levels was increased. Although no significant difference in adipose tissue was found among the groups, the rats fed on CTS-NP had lower relative liver weight and body weight when compared with those fed on normal diet. This study was the first report of the effects of CTS-NP in the hyperlipidemia rats, and suggests that the CTS-NP could be used for the treatment of hyperlipidemia.