Red pepper attenuates cholesteryl ester transfer protein activity and atherosclerosis in cholesterol-fed rabbits.
BACKGROUND
The current study was conducted to examine the effect of red pepper supplementation on cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) activity, along with its anti-atherosclerotic effect in cholesterol-fed rabbits.


METHODS
Rabbits were fed a 1% cholesterol diet for 12 weeks, including a 1% red pepper powder supplement.


RESULTS
The red pepper supplemented group exhibited significantly lower CETP activity than the control group during the experimental period (P<0.05). The total cholesterol, triglyceride (TG), LDL-C, VLDL-C, and VLDL-TG levels and atherogenic index (AI) were all significantly lower in the red pepper group than in the control group (P<0.05), whereas the HDL-C level was significantly higher in the red pepper group than in the control group during the experimental period (P<0.05). Furthermore, the red pepper supplementation increased the fecal TG excretion (P<0.05). Based on a morphological examination, the red pepper supplemented group exhibited fewer fat droplet deposits than the control group.


CONCLUSIONS
The current results suggest that red pepper attenuates atherosclerosis, plus plasma CETP would appear to be a risk marker of atherosclerosis in cholesterol-fed rabbits.
Kwon
Myung-Ja
MJ
Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Pusan National University, 609-735, Pusan, South Korea
Song
Young-Sun
YS
Choi
Myung-Sook
MS
Song
Yeong-Ok
YO
D000818:Animals; D001011:Aorta / Q000378:metabolism; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001835:Body Weight; D002212:Capsicum / Q000378:metabolism*; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood; D053480:Cholesterol Ester Transfer Proteins; D002788:Cholesterol Esters / Q000378:metabolism*; D005243:Feces / Q000737:chemistry; D006023:Glycoproteins; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents / Q000378:metabolism*; D008055:Lipids / Q000032:analysis; D008074:Lipoproteins / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism; D009929:Organ Size; D011817:Rabbits; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism
D002352:Carrier Proteins; D053480:Cholesterol Ester Transfer Proteins; D002788:Cholesterol Esters; D006023:Glycoproteins; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents; D008055:Lipids; D008074:Lipoproteins; D014280:Triglycerides; D002784:Cholesterol