Effect of Ligaria cuneifolia catechin- and quercetin-enriched fractions on hemorheology and plasma cholesterol.
We tested the in vivo and the in vitro effects of both Ligaria cuneifolia catechin- and quercetin-enriched fractions on erythrocyte shape and deformability, and on plasma cholesterol level. For in vivo studies, adult male Wistar rats were randomized in three experimental groups which received intraperitoneally, once a day, 3 days:


METHODS
saline solution (C; n = 6); catechin from L. cuneifolia, 0.60 mg/100 g body weight (CLc; n = 6), or quercetin from L. cuneifolia, 2.3 mg/100 g body weight (QLc; n = 6). For in vitro studies, blood samples obtained from male Wistar rats were divided into three fractions, which were incubated with saline solution (C), catechin (CLc; n = 5) and quercetin (QLc; n = 5), in a concentration equivalent to 0.60 mg/100 g body weight, and 2.3 mg/100 g body weight, respectively. CLc significantly reduced the rigidity index due to a diminished mean concentration volume. QLc induced erythrocyte rigidization (less deformability), thus increasing blood viscosity. Neither of the two treatments produced any changes in plasmatic or biliary excretion of cholesterol. Opposite results were observed in rigidity index with CLc and QLc. In vitro studies showed an interaction of both CLc and QLc with the erythrocyte membrane, which induced changes in the erythrocyte shape from discocyte to stomatocyte.
Dominighini
Alicia
A
Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Rosario, Argentina.
Ferrero
Mariana
M
Crosetti
Diego
D
Alvarez
María de Luján
Mde L
Ronco
María Teresa
MT
Gonzálvez
José
J
Wagner
Marcelo
M
Gurni
Alberto
A
Carnovale
Cristina
C
Luquita
Alejandra
A
D000818:Animals; D001809:Blood Viscosity / Q000187:drug effects*; D002392:Catechin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D048430:Cell Shape / Q000187:drug effects; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood*; D004907:Erythrocyte Deformability / Q000187:drug effects; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000187:drug effects; D018056:Hemorheology / Q000187:drug effects; D028183:Loranthaceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D008297:Male; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011794:Quercetin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
D010936:Plant Extracts; D002392:Catechin; D002784:Cholesterol; D011794:Quercetin