Bioactive agents against systemic low-grade inflammation

Abstract

Introduction: Free radicals and lipid peroxides assign a systemic low-grade inflammation. NF-κB regulated by reactive oxygen radicals, influence the transcription of many target genes, like iNOS, COX-2, and TNF-α. Bioactive agents e.g. vitamins, flavonoids and polyphenols may reduce the inflammation processes. Our aim was to determine the advantages of a functional product containing Beta vulgaris var. rubra and Daucus carota (BVD) in „short term“ alimentary fatty liver rodent model. Methods: Male Wistar (N=30) rats were kept on conventional chow with or without high fat supplementation (2% cholesterol, 0.5% cholic acid, 20% sunflower oil) and 0,1 or 1g/bwkg/day BVD lyofilisate (permission number: 1361/004/2003 BFÁÉÉÁ) was given, in both alimentary groups respectively. After termination on tenth day plasma and liver redox-parameters (spectrophotometry, luminometry) were measured, and histological analysis was carried out. Expression of iNOS, COX-2 and TNF-α were detected with Tachman real-time PCR. Results and discussion: Free radical intensity, lipid peroxidation and decreased antioxidant state showed remarkable changes in steatotic liver (SL) group. The tendency of lipid lowering and antioxidant enhancing effects of the BVD supplementation were detected dose dependently in the plasma as well as in the liver. Histological analysis showed severe microvesicular steatosis. Levels of inflammatory parameters: iNOS, COX-2 and TNF-α, were elevated significantly in SL groups. Beneficial changes of relative expression levels of iNOS, COX-2 and TNF-α could be established after Beta vulgaris var. rubra and Daucus carota treatment dose dependently in group suffered with steatosis. Conclusion: Beta vulgaris var. rubra and Daucus carota may diminish the systemic low-grade inflammation in steatotic liver in applied concentrations.