title: Metabolic effects of berberine on liver phosphatidate phosphohydrolase in rats fed on high lipogenic diet: an additional mechanism for the hypolipidemic effects of berberine.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effects of berberine (BBR) on the liver phosphatidate phosphohydrolase (PAP) and plasma lipids in rats fed on high lipogenic and normal diet.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty rats were randomly divided into 5 groups. Group I (control) received standard diet. Group II received standard diet plus 90 mg/kg BBR and Groups IV received lipogenic diet (containing sunflower oil, cholesterol and ethanol) without treatment. Groups III and V received lipogenic diet plus 90 mg/kg BBR and 30 mg/kg gemfibrozil, respectively. On Day 60 of the experiment, blood samples were collected and PAP, total cholesterol, triglyceride, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, very low density lipoprotein, malondialdehyde, plasma antioxidant, and liver histopathology assessments were conducted.
  
  
  RESULTS
  PAP, plasma triglyceride, total cholesterol, very low density lipoprotein, and malondialdehyde levels decreased significantly (P<0.05) in Group III compared to Group IV (24.94%, 36.11%, 21.18%, 36.86% and 19.59%, respectively). The liver triglyceride and cholesterol in Groups III and V had a remarkable decrease (P<0.001) compared with Group IV (24.94% and 49.13%, respectively). There was a significant reduction (P<0.05) in atherogenic index in Groups III compared with Group IV.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results clearly suggested that BBR could be effective in reducing liver PAP, lipid abnormality, liver triglyceride and lateral side effects of hyperlipidemia.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Biochemistry Research Center, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran.
authors.forename: Esfandiar
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Heidarian
authors.affiliation: Medical Plants Research Center, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran.
authors.forename: Mahmoud
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rafieian-Kopaei
authors.affiliation: Celullar and Molecular Research Center, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran.
authors.forename: Abolfazle
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Khoshdel
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran.
authors.forename: Morteza
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bakhshesh
keywords: Atherogenic index; Fatty liver; Flavonoid; Lipid profile; Lipogenic diet; Oxidative stress