Prevention Of Hypercholesterolemia Research Articles

The prevalence change of hyperlipidemia and hyperglycemia and the effectiveness of yearly physical examinations: an eight-year study in Southwest China

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence changes of hyperlipidemia and hyperglycemia from 2009 to 2016 and the effectiveness of yearly physical examinations to hyperlipidemia and hyperglycemia prevention in Chengdu.MethodsA total of 794 residents (499 males) who have undergone annual health check-ups for 8 consecutive years (from 2009 to 2016) in Chengdu, a city in southwest China were selected as the follow-up group, 7226 residents in 2009 and 75,068 residents in 2016 who underwent health examinations in the same hospital were chosen to be the contemporary control group. The concentration of fasting serum triglyceride(TG), total cholesterol(TC), low density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and glucose were measured and compared among these groups.ResultsThere was a clear rise in the prevalence of hypercholesterolemia and hyperglycemia from 2009 to 2016 (p < 0.05). The follow-up group didn’t show difference in levels of serum lipids and glucose compared with the general population after an 8-years’ consecutive physical examination (p > 0.05), the follow-up cohort in the 8th year exhibited significant increases in serum total cholesterol and glucose compared with the 1st year (p < 0.05).ConclusionThe prevalence of hypercholesterolemia and hyperglycemia were increased significantly from 2009 to 2016. Annual physical examination didn’t show a positive effect in the prevention of hypercholesterolemia and hyperglycemia. Health education should be improved to ensure the fulfillment of the preventive objective of yearly physical examination.

In vitro and in vivo cholesterol lowering ability of Lactobacillus pentosus KF923750.

Lactobacillus pentosus KF923750 was characterised for probiotic related properties and then characterised for cholesterol uptake in vitro as well as in vivo using rabbits fed a high-cholesterol diet. The survival percentage of L. pentosus KF923750 was 100% at pH 3, 52.18% at pH 2 and 36.21% at pH 2 plus pepsin. Similarly, this strain appeared resistant to bile (0.1% [98.42%], 0.3% [88.52%], 0.5% [75.60%] and 1% [71.15%]), after 4 h exposure. Moreover, L. pentosus KF923750 controlled growth of Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 through the production of a bacteriocin-like inhibitory substance and anti-adhesive capabilities. L. pentosus KF923750 was non-cytotoxic to eukaryotic cells but sensitive to some antibiotics. Compared with rabbits fed a high-cholesterol diet but without L. pentosus KF923750 supplementation, the plasma total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides levels were significantly decreased in L. pentosus KF923750-fed rabbits by 11.54, 16.00 and 18.00%, respectively, with no significant change in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. The histological sections of livers revealed lesions in all the rabbits that were fed a high-cholesterol diet, but these were less pronounced in rabbits ingesting L. pentosus KF923750. This study highlights the potential of lactobacilli, such as L. pentosus KF923750, in the treatment or prevention of hypercholesterolemia.

Trends in Determinants of Hypercholesterolemia among Chinese Adults between 2002 and 2012: Results from theNational Nutrition Survey.

Hypercholesterolemia is a known risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and affects a high proportion of the population. This study aimed to assess and compare the determinants of hypercholesterolemia among Chinese adults aged 18 years and above, from 2002 to 2012. The study used a stratified multistage cluster sampling method to select participants. Sociodemographic and lifestyle information was collected during face-to-face interviews. Dietary intake was calculated by 3-day, 24-h dietary records in combination with weighted edible oil and condiments. Hypercholesterolemia was defined as total cholesterol above 6.22 mmol/L (240 mg/dL) from fasting blood samples. The study included 47,701 (mean age 43.0 years) and 39,870 (mean age 51.0 years) participants in 2002 and 2010–2012 surveys respectively. The weighted prevalence of hypercholesterolemia increased from 1.6% (2.1% urban, 1.0% rural) in 2002 to 6.0% (6.4% urban, 5.1% rural) in 2012. The intake of plant-based food decreased but the intake of pork increased over the 10 years. A high intake of protein and pork, alcohol drinking and overweight/obesity were positively associated with hypercholesterolemia. Neither education nor fruit and vegetable intake were associated with hypercholesterolemia. In conclusion, the burden of hypercholesterolemia increased substantially between 2002 and 2012 in China. Unhealthy lifestyle factors and change in traditional dietary pattern were positively associated with hypercholesterolemia. Further research on the role of diet in the development and prevention of hypercholesterolemia is needed.

A Comprehensive Review on the Chemotherapeutic Potential of Piceatannol for Cancer Treatment, with Mechanistic Insights.

Cancer is a diverse class of diseases characterized by uncontrolled cell growth that constitutes the greatest cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Despite steady progress, the treatment modalities of cancer are still insufficient. Several new concepts have emerged for therapeutic intervention in malignant diseases with the goal of identifying specific targets and overcoming resistance against current cytotoxic therapies. Many studies have reported the remarkable and significant properties of dietary plant polyphenols such as curcumin, resveratrol, flavopiridol, indirubin, magnolol, piceatannol, parthenolide, epigallocatechin gallate, and cucurbitacin as anticancer agents known for their pleiotropic effects on cancer, immune cells, and inflammation. Piceatannol, an analogue and metabolite of resveratrol, is a natural stilbene commonly found in grape skins and wine. Compared to resveratrol, this molecule exhibits superior bioactivities as an inhibitor of COX-1/2 and the CSN-associated kinase. Piceatannol is thought to be a potent natural compound with many therapeutic effects, such as the prevention of hypercholesterolemia, arrhythmia, atherosclerosis, angiogenesis, and cardiovascular diseases. It also demonstrates vasorelaxation, antioxidant, and anticancer activities. This comprehensive review summarizes the current data regarding the mechanisms of action of piceatannol, its chemopreventive properties, and its possible therapeutic potential against various types of human cancer.

Effects of Morus alba L. (Mulberry) Leaf Extract in Hypercholesterolemic Mice on Suppression of Cholesterol Synthesis

Study background: Hypercholesterolemia causes arteriosclerosis, a risk factor for cerebral or myocardial infarctions. Prevention of hypercholesterolemia by improving dietary habits has recently attracted attention in many countries. It has been reported that the leaves of the mulberry plant, Morus alba L., which is commonly used for tea in Asian countries, can ameliorate hypercholesterolemic conditions. Method: To determine its mechanism of action, we performed gene expression profiling of the liver of mice fed a high-cholesterol diet and a polyphenol-rich mulberry leaf extract containing abundant quercetin and kaempferol for 4 weeks. Results: The levels of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and lactate dehydrogenase in plasma, and level of total cholesterol in the liver were significantly lower in the mice treated with the mulberry leaf extract than that in the control group mice. DNA microarray analysis revealed that mulberry extract downregulated the expression of genes involved in cholesterol biosynthesis, including hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA reductase gene, and upregulated the transcription of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)α and γ, transcriptional factors known to regulate lipid metabolism or immunity, and their target genes. Additionally, the mulberry extract stimulated both innate and acquired immunity, including the induction of scavenger and Toll-like receptors and the activation of pathways in various lymphocytes, such as macrophages, eosinophils, neutrophils, natural killer cells, B cells, and T cells. Conclusion: The results obtained in this study suggest that quercetin and kaempferol in the mulberry leaf induce the activation of PPARα and PPARγ, transcription of Ppara and Pparg genes, and stimulation of PPAR signaling pathways. These phenomena ultimately lead to the reduction of cholesterol synthesis and immunostimulation.

Association of flavonoid-rich foods and statins in the management of hypercholesterolemia: a dangerous or helpful combination?

Statins and dietary modifications are the cornerstone of hypercholesterolemia management. Although it is well known that possible adverse effect of statins can occur due to drug-drug interactions, food-drug interactions are a commonly overlooked aspect. In particular, flavonoids could interfere with statins' bioavailability through different mechanisms, such as competition with cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes, esterases, uridine diphosphate glucuronosyltransferases and transporters (P-glycoprotein, multi-drug resistance-associated proteins, organic anion transporting polypeptides, breast cancer-resistance protein and monocarboxylate transporters). Transporters are characterized by low substrate specificity and flavonoid- rich foods could interfere with the bioavailability of all statins at this level. On the other hand, in addition to being substrates of drug metabolism/ transport systems, flavonoids are also able to modulate gene expression of enzymes and transporters. Therefore, long-term transcriptional induction may increase the clearance of statins, despite flavonoids act as competitive inhibitors after bolus consumption. In humans, major interactions were observed between grapefruit juice and statins that are substrates of P-glycoprotein/CYP3A, but other fruit juices also affect the bioavailability of statins that are not metabolised by CYP. Even if flavonoids could play a role in the prevention of hypercholesterolemia, the question whether there's a helpful or dangerous association between flavonoid-rich foods and statins, due to the interactions between flavonoid-rich foods and statins and the potential associated adverse effects of statins, remain unanswered. Therefore, the anamnesis of patients must include detailed information about their eating habits and the present review suggests monitoring and reporting any possible case of interaction between a prescribed statin and food.

New Pyripyropene A Derivatives, Highly SOAT2-Selective Inhibitors, Improve Hypercholesterolemia and Atherosclerosis in Atherogenic Mouse Models

Sterol O-acyltransferase 2 (SOAT2; also known as ACAT2) is considered as a new therapeutic target for the treatment or prevention of hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis. Fungal pyripyropene A (PPPA: 1,7,11-triacyl type), the first SOAT2-selective inhibitor, proved orally active in vivo using atherogenic mouse models. The purpose of the present study was to demonstrate that the PPPA derivatives (PRDs) prove more effective in the mouse models than PPPA. Among 196 semisynthetic PPPA derivatives, potent, SOAT2-selective, and stable PRDs were selected. In vivo antiatherosclerotic activity of selected PRDs was tested in apolipoprotein E knockout (Apoe(-/-)) mice or low-density lipoprotein receptor knockout (Ldlr(-/-)) mice fed a cholesterol-enriched diet (0.2% cholesterol and 21% fat) for 12 weeks. During the PRD treatments, no detrimental side effects were observed. Among three PRDs, Apoe(-/-) mice treated with PRD125 (1-,11-O-benzylidene type) at 1 mg/kg/day had significantly lower total plasma cholesterol concentration by 57.9 ± 9.3%; further, the ratio of cholesteryl oleate to cholesteryl linoleate in low-density lipoprotein was lower by 55.6 ± 7.5%, respectively. The hepatic cholesteryl ester levels and SOAT2 activity in the small intestines and livers of the PRD-treated mice were selectively lowered. The atherosclerotic lesion areas in the aortae of PRD125-treated mice were significantly lower at 62.2 ± 13.1%, respectively. Furthermore, both PRDs were also orally active in atherogenic Ldlr(-/-) mice. Among the PRDs tested, PRD125 was the most potent in both mouse models. These results suggest that SOAT2-selective inhibitors such as PRD125 have a high potential as poststatin agents for treatment and/or prevention in patients with atherosclerosis and hypercholesterolemia.

Phenolic compounds from sandpaper (ficus exasperata) leaf inhibits angiotensin 1 converting enzyme in high cholesterol diet fed rats

Ethnopharmacological relevanceSandpaper [Ficus exasperata Vahl (Moraceae)] leaf has been reportedly used in folklore for the management/treatment of cardiovascular diseases with little/or no scientific basis for their action. This study sought to investigate the effect of dietary supplementation of sandpaper leaf on angiotensin-I converting enzyme (ACE) activity in hypercholesterolemia as well as the effect of their phenolic extract on this enzyme in vitro. Materials and methodsThe phenolic extract was prepared, then, the inhibitory effect of the leaf extract on ACE was determined in vitro. Thereafter, the effect of dietary supplementation of sandpaper leaf on angiotensin-I converting enzyme (ACE) activity in high cholesterol diet fed rats for 14 days was evaluated as well as some biochemical parameters. ResultsThe result revealed that under in vitro condition, the phenolic extract inhibited ACE (IC50=14.7µg/mL) in a dose-dependent manner (0–10µg/mL). Feeding high cholesterol diets to rats caused a significant (P<0.05) increase in the ACE activity. However, there was a significant (P<0.05) decrease in the ACE activity as a result of supplementation with the sand paper leaves. Furthermore, there was a significant (P<0.05) increase in the plasma lipid profile with a concomitant increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) content in rat liver and heart tissues. However, supplementing the diet with sandpaper leaf (either 10% or 20%) caused a significant (P<0.05) decrease in the plasma total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), very low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (VLDL-C), and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels (LDL-C), and in MDA content in the tissues. Conversely, supplementation caused a significant (P<0.05) increase in plasma high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol level when compared with the control diet. Reversed phase HPLC analysis of the extract revealed Quercitrin (43.7mg/g), chlorogenic acid (42.8mg/g) and caffeic acid (33.9mg/g) as the major phenolics in the leaf. ConclusionThe inhibition of ACE activity and prevention of hypercholesterolemia by sandpaper leaf could be part of the possible mechanism underlying its anti-hypertensive property which could lay credence to its use in folk medicine. However, these activities may be directly/indirectly attributed to the polyphenolics present.

A review of the pharmacological effects of piceatannol on cardiovascular diseases.

The incidence of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) is high in both developed and developing countries. It has a high global rate of mortality and causes heavy social burden. Drugs are available for managing or treating CVDs and its complications. Consumption of dietary supplements or functional foods for reducing the risk of CVDs has also gained wide recognition by the general public. Piceatannol, an analog and metabolite of resveratrol, is a natural stilbene commonly found in the skin of grapes and wine. Piceatannol is believed to be a potent compound with certain cardiovascular therapeutic effects, such as the prevention of hypercholesterolemia, arrhythmia, atherosclerosis, and angiogenesis. It also has vasorelaxation and antioxidant activities. A comprehensive review of piceatannol concludes that piceatannol has the potential to be developed into health products for the cardiovascular system to help modern society reduce the high CVD incidence. However, further investigations are warranted in order to increase the bioavailability and understand the biological mechanisms and safety of using piceatannol.

Hypocholesterolemic Effects of Soybean and Sweet Lupine Tempeh in Hypercholesterolemic Rats

A study was designed to evaluate the hypocholesterolemic effects of soybean and sweet lupine tempeh fermented with Rhizopus oligosporus in hypercholesterolemic rats. Soybean and sweet lupine seeds and Rhizopus oligosporus were used in this study to produce tempeh using traditional method. Both types of tempeh were subjected to biological study. Thirty-six male albino rats of Sprague-Dawley strain were divided into 6 groups as follows: (1) control negative (C-); (2) hypercholesterolemic (control positive, C+); (3) hypercholesterolemic + 3.5% protein from soybean tempeh; (4) hypercholesterolemic + 7% protein from soybean tempeh; (5) hypercholesterolemic + 3.5% protein from sweet lupine tempeh; (6) hypercholesterolemic + 7% protein from sweet lupine tempeh. All animal groups received the selected experimental diets for 4 weeks. Blood samples were drawn after the end of the experimental period. The evaluation of histopathological liver tissue sections and serum biochemical markers (aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), total cholesterol, triglycerides, lipoprotein fractions, urea nitrogen and uric acid) were conducted. The animal groups fed a hypercholesterolemic diet + 3.5% or 7% protein either from soybean or sweet lupine tempeh significantly (P<0.05) reduced the levels of total cholesterol (-37.41% to -48.43%), LDL-C (-57.51% to -75.35%), VLDL-C (-25.87% to -42.55%), triglycerides (-25.77% to -42.1%), AST (-10.19% to -37.15%), ALT (-23% to -45.86%), urea nitrogen (-9.38% to -19.04%) and uric acid (-9.04 to -14.27%), while HDL-C levels were increased (+57.67% to +76.09%) compared to that of the positive control group. The ratios of serum TC/HDL-C, LDL-C/HDL-C and AI were also decreased. On the other hand, the histopathological examination of the liver tissue sections of hypercholesterolemic rats fed a diet containing tempeh produced from soybean or sweet lupine revealed that the two types of tempeh reduced the degenerative changes. However, the higher levels of soybean and sweet lupine tempeh (7%) induced a better effect than the lower levels (3.5%), and were capable of recovering the damaged hepatocytes to almost their normal structure. These results indicated that tempeh obtained from soybean or sweet lupine, in particular, the high level (7%) significantly improved the levels of lipid profiles, activity of liver enzymes, concentrations of uric acid and urea nitrogen as well as induced a better protective effect in the hepatocytes, consequently, the two types of tempeh exhibited hypocholesterolemic, anti-atherogenic and hepatoprotective effects. Therefore, incorporating soybean or sweet lupine tempeh into the diet can be a possible coadjutor in the treatment and prevention of hypercholesterolemia.

Evaluation of hypocholesterolemic effect and antioxidant activity of Boops boops proteins in cholesterol-fed rats

Dietary proteins affect blood cholesterol concentrations and antioxidant status, which are related to several diseases, including cardiovascular disease. The present study attempts to investigate the potential of Boops boops proteins (Bb-NHP) and its hydrolysate (Bb-HP) in the prevention of hypercholesterolemia and oxidative stress in rats fed a high cholesterol diet (HCD). After four weeks' treatment, serum lipid profiles (total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol), the activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), the level of malonaldehyde (MDA) and the activities of antioxidant enzymes [catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx)] in liver were determined. Compared with those fed a standard diet, high cholesterol diet induced dyslipidemia, oxidative stress, and aortic structure alterations. Interestingly, supplementing the HCD with Boops boops proteins attenuated these anomalies in a dose-dependent manner. These observations suggested that B. boops proteins might provide health benefits by helping to reduce the deleterious effects of increased intake of cholesterol that characterize modern diets.

Garlic improves altered vascular reactivity and plasma lipids in high cholesterol-fed rats

Objective The aim of this work was to study the effect of garlic on the lipid profile of hypercholesterolemic rats and investigate the vascular reactivity to norepinephrine and acetylcholine in hypercholesterolemic rats treated with garlic in-vitro experiments. Background Hypercholesterolemia is considered an important risk factor for the development of atherosclerosis; currently, there is a major trend to use herbal remedies for the treatment and prevention of hypercholesterolemia and garlic is used for this purpose. Methods Forty male rats were divided into the following four groups of 10 animals each: (i) normal diet-fed animals (control), (ii) hypercholesterolemic animals, (iii) hypercholesterolemic garlic-treated animals, and (iv) hypercholesterolemic garlic-prophylactic animals. The animals were fed a standard food preparation enriched with 2% cholesterol for 2 months and soya bean oil. Thirty days after beginning the experiment, garlic was administered in the hypercholesterolemic garlic-treated group whereas in the hypercholesterolemic garlic-prophylactic group garlic was administered from the start till the end of the experiment. At the end of the experiment, a blood sample was drawn from each rat to determine total cholesterol and to separate the lipoproteins; also, a segment of the thoracic aorta was removed to study endothelial function (vascular reactivity). Results Garlic reduced the total serum cholesterol levels and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels significantly. Endothelium-dependent relaxation was significantly greater in the treated and prophylactic group compared with that in the hypercholesterolemic group. Conclusion Garlic played a significant role in prophylaxis and treatment of hypercholesterolemia and improvement of endothelial dysfunction.

Screening of peptides with a high affinity to bile acids using peptide arrays and a computational analysis

Bile acid binding peptides have attracted attention for the improvement and prevention of hypercholesterolemia. In this study, screening of bile acid high affinity peptides was investigated using computationally-assisted peptide array analysis. Starting with the screening data obtained from a limited, random 6-mer library (2212 sequences), the peptides with a high affinity to bile acid were characterized by comparison of high- and low-affinity peptides using fuzzy neural network (FNN) analysis. The physical properties of amino acids at specific positions that contribute to bile acid binding activity were extracted as the structural rule; optimization was carried out using three repeated screening cycles of the rule extraction. The extracted structural rule indicates that Trp, Tyr, Phe, Leu, Ile and Val are enriched in bile acid binding peptides. The yields of bile acid binding peptides with an affinity of above the VAWWMY peptide (soystatin, control sequence) were significantly higher in the optimized structural rule (32.5%) compared to that of the random library (3.1%), and 6 peptides were obtained with above 2.0-fold increased binding activity.

Attenuation of Fatty Liver and Prevention of Hypercholesterolemia by Extract of Curcuma longa through Regulating the Expression of CYP7A1, LDL‐Receptor, HO‐1, and HMG‐CoA Reductase

The extract of Curcuma longa, better known as turmeric, was orally administered to experimental rats that were fed a high-cholesterol diet to investigate whether it could regulate plasma lipids and cholesterol levels and possibly improve hepatic conditions. With turmeric supplements, rats showed a significant decrease in total plasma cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol but an increase in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol when compared with rats that were fed a high-cholesterol diet alone. Fatty liver developed in hypercholesterolemic rats with the high-cholesterol diet treatment, and this condition was markedly improved when rats were provided with turmeric supplements at 100 mg/kg or 300 mg/kg of body mass. The turmeric treatment resulted in a significant decrease in the total amount of hepatic lipid. Histological staining of liver tissues with Sudan III and hematoxylin showed that rats fed with a high-cholesterol diet alone had more and larger granular fat bodies than rats having turmeric extract supplementation in their high-cholesterol diet. Reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction was used to assess the expression levels of enzymes involved in fat metabolism and cellular homeostasis in experimental rat livers. The results showed that rats fed a high-cholesterol diet supplemented with turmeric extract had a significant increase in the expression of cholesterol 7 α-hydroxylase, hemeoxygenase 1, and low-density lipoprotein receptors but a significant decrease in 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-CoA reductase level when compared with rats fed a normal or high-cholesterol diet, showing that turmeric prevents hypercholesterolemia and the formation of fatty liver by the modulation of expressions of enzymes that are important to cholesterol metabolism. Turmeric may be considered a functional food for regulating plasma cholesterol levels and preventing the development of fatty liver in people who frequently consume a high-cholesterol diet.

Actions of Ferulic Acid and Vitamin E on Prevention of Hypercholesterolemia and Atherogenic Lesion Formation in Apolipoprotein E-Deficient Mice

This study was carried out to investigate whether dietary vitamin E and ferulic acid (FA) can exert possible interactions on preventions of hypercholesterolemia and atherogenic lesion formation in C57BL/65 apolipoprotein E-deficient (apo E(-/-)) mice. Four-week-old male apo E(-/-) mice were randomly divided into three groups and given one of three types of Western diets with various amounts of vitamin E (0.02%, 0%, or 0.2%) for 15 weeks. FA was added to vitamin E-free Western diet and vitamin E-rich Western diet at the 0.02% level. The plasma total cholesterol concentration was significantly lowered when FA was added to the vitamin E-free and vitamin E-rich Western diet as compared to the normal vitamin E Western diet (0.02% vitamin E), and this was accompanied with a decreased hepatic acyl-coenzyme A:cholesterol acyltransferase activity. The hepatic and erythrocyte thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances levels were significantly lowered when FA was added to the vitamin E-rich Western diet, which was attributable to increased activities of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase) and paraoxonase. Accordingly, vitamin E and/or FA are beneficial for prevention of hypercholesterolemia and atherogenesis in apo E(-/-) mice. In particular, dietary FA exhibited an anti-atherosclerotic property, and this effect was synergistically enhanced with the vitamin E supplement.

PREVENTION of hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis in chickens fed cholesterol.

Prevention of Hypercholesterolemia and Atherosclerosis in Chickens Fed Cholesterol Get access Nutrition Reviews, Volume 12, Issue 2, February 1954, Pages 54–55, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1753-4887.1954.tb03188.x Published: 01 February 1954

Prevention of hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis in the hyperlipidemia- and atherosclerosis-prone Japanese (LAP) quail by taurine supplementation

The effects of taurine supplementation on the serum cholesterol levels and the progression of atherosclerosis were investigated in the hyperlipidemia- and atherosclerosis-prone Japanese (LAP) quail. The ingestion of a high-cholesterol diet containing 1% cholesterol by LAP quails for 60 days resulted in a marked elevation in serum non-HDL cholesterol and triglyceride, as well as severe aortic lesions with lipid droplets. An immunohistochemical study showed that the lesion consisted of mainly lipid-rich macrophages and T cells. Sixty-day taurine supplementation (1% in drinking tap water) to LAP quails fed high-cholesterol diet containing 1% cholesterol significantly reduced serum non-HDL cholesterol from 4,549 to 2,350 mg/dl. The serum triglyceride level also decreased after taurine supplementation from 703 to 392 mg/dl. Although the HDL cholesterol level significantly decreased due to the high-cholesterol diet, it recovered to the control level fed a regular diet in response to taurine. Bile acid production was stimulated and hepatic cholesterol was reduced by taurine supplementation. A quantitative analysis using aortic cross-sections showed that areas of oil-red O positive lipid accumulation significantly decreased by 74% after taurine supplementation. These results demonstrated the lipid-lowering and anti-atherosclerotic effects of taurine in a diet-induced hyperlipidemic LAP quail model. The prevention of atherosclerosis by taurine is mainly attributed to an improvement in the serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels, which may be related to changes in the hepatic cholesterol metabolism.

Inhibitory Effects of “Goishi-tea” as a Post-Fermented-tea on Dietary-Induced Hypercholesteremia and Atherosclerosis in Rabbits

Since lipid oxidation is involved in the deterioration of hypercholesterolemia-related atherosclerosis, ingestion of drinks and foods with antioxidant actions is useful for preventing lipid oxidation. Goishi-tea is a post-fermented-tea manufactured by a unique method in Japan, and may be useful for preventing various disorders. However, there is no scientific evidence. In this study, we compared the radical scavenging activity of goishi-tea with that of other teas, and administered this tea to a rabbit model of hypercholesteremia to evaluate its usefulness in the inhibition of hypercholesteremia and atherosclerosis. The radical scavenging activity of goishi-tea was similar to that of green-tea, and was higher than that of other types of fermented-teas. On the other hand, some difference of components was found between goishi-tea and green-tea. In cholesterol-fed rabbits, low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol level in the goishi-tea-group was lower than that in the green-tea-group. Plasma lipidperoxide value was also lower in the goishi-tea-group than in the green-tea and tap-water-groups. On aortic endothelial staining, fat area in the goishi-tea-group was lower than that in the tap-water-group. Furthermore, fat accumulation in the aortic intima in the goishi-tea-group was very low. Goishi-tea has higher antioxidant activities than the other fermented-teas tested, which were generally low, and decreased serum lipid levels, suggesting that goishitea is a very peculiar fermented-tea with usefulness in the prevention of hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis.

EFFECTS OF HIGH‐CHOLESTEROL DIET AND ANTIOXIDANT VITAMINS COMBINATION ON OXIDANT/ANTIOXIDANT STATUS IN HEART, KIDNEY, LIVER AND TESTIS TISSUES FROM RATS

ABSTRACT Possible effects of a high‐cholesterol diet on the oxidant/antioxidant status in various tissues from rats and the effects of the combination of vitamins C and E on these parameters and on hypercholesterolemia were investigated. Twenty‐four Sprague‐Dawley type rats were randomly divided into three groups. The control group (group 1) was fed on a rat pellet diet. The study groups (groups 2 and 3) were fed on a high‐cholesterol diet for 3 months. Rats in group 3 were supplemented with vitamins C (100 mg/kg intraperitoneally ) and E (60 mg/kg intramuscularly ) three times a week throughout the study. At the end of the study period, all animals were sacrificed and their heart, kidney, liver and testis surgically removed to measure oxidant and antioxidant parameters. Blood samples were also obtained from the animals. We observed that serum total cholesterol levels significantly increased in the study groups after the study period. The increase in the blood cholesterol level in group 3 was, however, significantly lower than that in group 2. As to the oxidant–antioxidant parameters, there were different results among the tissues. In conclusion, our results suggest that high serum cholesterol level does not lead to oxidation reactions in the early phase of hypercholesterolemia, and antioxidant vitamins supplementation increases antioxidant potential values of the tissues and decreases the blood total cholesterol level in the cholesterol‐supplemented animals. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSIt is clearly known that hypercholesterolemia is an important health problem throughout the world. The results of the present study indicate that antioxidant vitamins (vitamins C and E) may be useful in the prevention of hypercholesterolemia

SCD1 is essential for the prevention of hypercholesterolemia and hepatic dysfunction elicited by a very low‐fat, high carbohydrate diet

SCD1 is essential for the prevention of hypercholesterolemia and hepatic dysfunction elicited by a very low‐fat, high carbohydrate diet