Effect of curcumin on atherosclerosis in apoE/LDLR-double knockout mice.
It is widely appreciated that inflammation and oxidant stress contribute to atherogenesis. Curcumin, a polyphenolic natural compound has been reported to possess anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant actions. We hypothesized that curcumin could inhibit the development of atherosclerosis in the apoE/LDLR-double knockout mice fed with Western diet (21% fat, 0.15% cholesterol w/w, without cholic acid). Curcumin (purity>or=98%), premixed with diet, was given for 4 months at a dose of 0.3 mg/ per day/ per mouse. In this model curcumin inhibited atherogenesis, measured both by "en face" method (25,15+/-2,9% vs. 19,2+/-0,6%, p<0,05) and "cross-section" method (565867+/-39764 microm2 vs. 299201+/-20373 microm2, p<0,05). Importantly, curcumin influenced neither the concentrations of cholesterol and triglycerides in blood nor animal body weight. To our knowledge, this is the first report that shows the anti-atherogenic effect of low dose of curcumin in fine model of atherosclerosis: gene-targeted apoE/LDLR-double knockout mice.
Olszanecki
R
R
Department of Histology, Jagiellonian University School of Medicine, Cracow, Poland. mfolszan@cyf-kr.edu.pl
Jawień
J
J
Gajda
M
M
Mateuszuk
L
L
Gebska
A
A
Korabiowska
M
M
Chłopicki
S
S
Korbut
R
R
D000818:Animals; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001011:Aorta / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D001057:Apolipoproteins E / Q000235:genetics; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003474:Curcumin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004036:Diet, Atherogenic; D005260:Female; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D011973:Receptors, LDL / Q000235:genetics
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D001057:Apolipoproteins E; D011973:Receptors, LDL; D003474:Curcumin