title: Grape extract and α-Tocopherol effect in cardiovascular disease model of Apo E -/- Mice.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To verify the effect of consumption of grape extract isolated or combined with α-tocopherol supplementation on atherosclerosis model with Apo E -/- mice.
  
  
  METHODS
  After six weeks of atherogenic diet, Apo E -/- mice were divided into the following groups: Control, Grape, Tocopherol and Grape plus Tocopherol. The treatment progressed for 11 weeks when animals were submitted to euthanasia.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All the treatments presented hypocholesterolemic effect with reduction of serum and liver cholesterol levels. This effect was parallel to an increase in the fecal excretion of cholesterol. There was also a higher fecal excretion of saturated fatty acids in groups receiving grape extract or α-tocopherol. All the groups treated presented a tendency to show higher levels of vitamin E. The fatty acid profile showed a tendency for monounsaturated fatty acid preservation after grape extract and α-tocopherol consumption. Morphological analysis revealed a lower degree of evolution of the atherosclerotic plaque of the animals that were fed α-tocopherol combined with grape extract, even when no difference was found in the size of the largest lesion.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A synergistic effect between the polyphenols and α-tocopherol was observed, resulting in diminished evolution of atherosclerosis and a greater beneficial effect on atherosclerosis than the isolated consumption of antioxidants.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition and Health, UFV, Viçosa, MG, Brazil. mpeluzio@ufv.br
authors.forename: Maria do Carmo Gouveia
authors.initials: Mdo C
authors.lastname: Peluzio
authors.forename: Tatiana Fiche Salles
authors.initials: TF
authors.lastname: Teixeira
authors.forename: Vanessa Patrocínio
authors.initials: VP
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.forename: Céphora Maria
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Sabarense
authors.forename: Cristina Maria Ganz Chaves
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Dias
authors.forename: Monise Viana
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Abranches
authors.forename: Izabel Regina dos Santos Costa
authors.initials: IR
authors.lastname: Maldonado
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001057:Apolipoproteins E / Q000378:metabolism; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000032:analysis; D004036:Diet, Atherogenic; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004357:Drug Synergism; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000032:analysis; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000032:analysis; D027843:Vitis / Q000737:chemistry*; D024502:alpha-Tocopherol / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D001057:Apolipoproteins E; D010936:Plant Extracts; D014280:Triglycerides; D014810:Vitamin E; D002784:Cholesterol; D024502:alpha-Tocopherol