Amelioration of Lipid Profile and Level of Antioxidant Activities by Epigallocatechin-gallate in a Rat Model of Atherogenesis

Abstract

Improperly balanced, highly processed diets rich in calories, carbohydrates and fat are considered to contribute to oxidative stress induced hypercholesterolaemic atherosclerosis. The aim of our study was to test whether the antioxidant component epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) may ameliorate the atherosclerotic effect of high fat diet in rats. A disease model for atherosclerosis was designed by formulating atherogenic diet and fed to Wistar rats for 30 days. The treatment trial was made by administration of EGCG (100 mg/kg) for six or 12 days. The lipid profile, antioxidant status and tissue morphometric analysis were performed. A significant increase in serum levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides and lipoprotein cholesterol fractions and cardiac risk ratio were observed in atherogenic diet fed rats than that of normal diet-fed rats. EGCG treated atherogenic diet fed rats resulted a reduction in total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density and very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol fractions, and an increase in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol compared to untreated-atherogenic diet fed rats. A significant decrease in lipid peroxidation, increased mean levels of non-enzymatic antioxidants and enzymatic antioxidants was measured in EGCG administered rats, compared with those in untreated-disease model. Morphometric analysis and the activity of cardiac marker enzymes demonstrated that EGCG was effective in limiting atherogenic tissue damage in aortic layers, and ameliorated the lipid profile. This preliminary study suggests EGCG may be useful as a novel therapeutic component for treating atherosclerosis and thus warrants further detailed investigation.