title: Effect of artichoke leaf extract on hepatic and cardiac oxidative stress in rats fed on high cholesterol diet.
abstract: Hypercholesterolemia and lipid peroxidation play complementary roles in atherosclerosis. Artichoke (Cynara scolymus L., Asteraceae) leaf extract (ALE), rich in antioxidants, has cholesterol-reducing effect. We investigated the effect of ALE on serum and hepatic lipid levels and pro-oxidant-antioxidant balance in the liver and heart of hypercholesterolemic rats. Rats were fed on 4% (w/w) cholesterol and 1% cholic acid (w/w) supplemented diet for 1 month. ALE (1.5 g/kg/day) was given by gavage during the last 2 weeks. High cholesterol (HC) diet caused significant increases in serum and liver cholesterol and triglyceride levels. It increased malondialdehyde (MDA) and diene conjugate (DC) levels in both tissues. Hepatic vitamin E levels and hepatic and cardiac glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities decreased, but superoxide dismutase and glutathione transferase activities, glutathione, and vitamin C levels remained unchanged due to HC diet. Serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels and ratio of cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol decreased in ALE plus HC-treated rats, but liver cholesterol and triglyceride levels remained unchanged. Significant decreases in hepatic and cardiac MDA and DC levels and increases in hepatic vitamin E and GSH-Px activities were observed in ALE-treated hypercholesterolemic rats. Our results indicate that ALE decreases serum lipids and hypercholesterolemia-induced pro-oxidant state in both tissues.
authors: Department of Biochemistry, Istanbul Medical Faculty, Istanbul University, Capa, 34093 Istanbul, Turkey.
authors: Canan
authors: C
authors: Küçükgergin
authors: A Fatih
authors: AF
authors: Aydin
authors: Gül
authors: G
authors: Ozdemirler-Erata
authors: Güldal
authors: G
authors: Mehmetçik
authors: Necla
authors: N
authors: Koçak-Toker
authors: Müjdat
authors: M
authors: Uysal
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D002791:Cholesterol, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D031943:Cynara scolymus / Q000737:chemistry*; D005260:Female; D006321:Heart / Q000187:drug effects; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000378:metabolism; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D009206:Myocardium / Q000378:metabolism; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
chemical_list: D002791:Cholesterol, Dietary; D010936:Plant Extracts; D002784:Cholesterol