Aqueous extract of Ilex paraguariensis attenuates the progression of atherosclerosis in cholesterol-fed rabbits.
Ilex paraguariensis aqueous extract (mate) is an antioxidant-rich beverage widely consumed in South American countries. Here we questioned whether mate could reduce the progression of atherosclerosis in 1% cholesterol-fed rabbits. New Zealand White male rabbits (n = 32) were divided into four groups: control (C, n = 5), control-mate (CM, n = 5), hypercholesterolemic (HC, n = 11) and hypercholesterolemic-mate (HCM, n = 11). The daily water and mate extract consumption was approximately 400 ml. After 2 months of treatment, mate intake did not change the lipid profile or hepatic cholesterol content of control or hypercholesterolemic rabbits (p < 0.05). However, the atherosclerotic lesion area was considerably smaller in the hypercholesterolemic-mate group (HCM, 35.4% vs. HC, 60.1%; p < 0.05). In addition, the aortic cholesterol content was around half that of the HC group (HCM, 36.8 vs. HC, 73.9 microg/mg of protein, p < 0.05). In spite of this, the thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) in the atherosclerotic aorta, liver and serum, and the activity of the antioxidant enzymes in liver and aorta did not differ among groups (p > 0.05). The results showed that Ilex paraguariensis extract can inhibit the progression of atherosclerosis in cholesterol-fed rabbits, although it did not decrease the serum cholesterol or aortic TBARS and antioxidant enzymes.
Mosimann
Ana Luiza Pamplona
AL
Department of Clinical Analysis, Health Sciences Center, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil.
Wilhelm-Filho
Danilo
D
da Silva
Edson Luiz
EL
D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology; D001011:Aorta / Q000737:chemistry / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002374:Catalase / Q000378:metabolism; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000032:analysis; D002791:Cholesterol, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004032:Diet; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase / Q000378:metabolism; D005980:Glutathione Reductase / Q000378:metabolism; D005982:Glutathione Transferase / Q000378:metabolism; D030019:Ilex paraguariensis / Q000737:chemistry*; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008099:Liver / Q000737:chemistry; D008297:Male; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011817:Rabbits; D017392:Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances / Q000032:analysis
D000975:Antioxidants; D002791:Cholesterol, Dietary; D008055:Lipids; D010936:Plant Extracts; D017392:Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances; D002784:Cholesterol; D002374:Catalase; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase; D005980:Glutathione Reductase; D005982:Glutathione Transferase