Abstract
Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the ability of Myrtus communis (Myrtus communis ) extract to attenuate endothelial dysfunction as well as risk of atherosclerosis in ovaricotmized rats as a common model of postmenopausal. Materials and methods : Sixty female albino rats, weighing 180 ± 20 g were used and divided into four groups (sham, sham+Myrtus communis , ovarictomized (OVX) and treated group).Plasma estrogen, cholesterol, triglycerides (TG), high density lipoprotein (HDL),low density lipoprotein (LDL), asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), von Willebrand factor (vWF),interleukin 1beta (IL-1β) , Lipoxin A4 (LXA4), aortic nitric oxide (NO), superoxide dismutase (SOD),catalase (CAT) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in addition to erythrocyte membrane fatty acids were determined. Results: Ovaricotmized rats showed a significant increase in inflammatory and oxidant parameters while, Myrtus communis extract administration in a dose of 100 mg/kg body weight for two months attenuates these values in treated group. Conclusions: Myrtus communis extract confirmed our idea in protecting from atherosclerosis and endothelial dysfunction in ovarictomized rats due to its high content of anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds in addition to its high content of ω-3 fatty acids.
Highlights
Atherosclerosis and its complications are a great global challenge
Ovariectomized rats showed a significant decrease in aortic nitric oxide (NO),superoxide dismutase (SOD) and CAT and a significant increase in MDA level compared to SH group while in treated group there was a significant increase in aortic SOD and CAT accompanied by a significant decrease in MDA level compared to OVX group
Our results indicated that in OVX group there was a significant decrease in plasma estrogen and linoleic acid (LA)-4 levels concomitant with a significant increase in plasma asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), von Willebrand factor (vWF) and IL-1β levels
Summary
Coronary artery diseases are the main cause of mortality worldwide. Myocardial infarction or stroke and atherosclerosis are lethal consequences that cause morbidity which related to heart failure resulting from ischemic heart disease or neurological impairment due to stroke (Go et al, 2014). Estrogen vasoprotective actions include activation of nitric oxide production and decreased in vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation while menopause are associated with atherogenic risk factors such as hyperlipidemia, hypertension, obesity, and insulin resistance (Akishita, 2004). Inflammation is the main key player in atherosclerosis from the formation of lesions to the incidence of a coronary take place. Chronic vascular inflammatory mechanism is related to the endothelial ability to release pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as Interleukin-1 (IL-1) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) that produced by the endothelium, stimulating adhesion molecules and increasing vascular risk (Teixeira et al, 2014)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
