title: Vitamin A-deficient diet accelerated atherogenesis in apolipoprotein E(-/-) mice and dietary β-carotene prevents this consequence.
abstract: Vitamin A is involved in regulation of glucose concentrations, lipid metabolism, and inflammation, which are major risk factors for atherogenesis. However, the effect of vitamin A deficiency on atherogenesis has not been investigated. Therefore, the objective of the current study was to examine whether vitamin A deficiency accelerates atherogenesis in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice (apoE(-/-)). ApoE(-/-) mice were allocated into the following groups: control, fed vitamin A-containing chow diet; BC, fed chow diet fortified with Dunaliella powder containing βc isomers; VAD, fed vitamin A-deficient diet; and VAD-BC group, fed vitamin A-deficient diet fortified with a Dunaliella powder. Following 15 weeks of treatment, liver retinol concentration had decreased significantly in the VAD group to about 30% that of control group. Vitamin A-deficient diet significantly increased both plasma cholesterol concentrations and the atherosclerotic lesion area at the aortic sinus (+61%) compared to the control group. Dietary βc fortification inhibited the elevation in plasma cholesterol and retarded atherogenesis in mice fed the vitamin A-deficient diet. The results imply that dietary vitamin A deficiency should be examined as a risk factor for atherosclerosis and that dietary βc, as a sole source of retinoids, can compensate for vitamin A deficiency.
authors: The Bert W. Strassburger Lipid Center, Sheba Medical Center, 5265601 Tel-Hashomer, Israel ; Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Israel.
authors: Noa Zolberg
authors: NZ
authors: Relevy
authors: The Bert W. Strassburger Lipid Center, Sheba Medical Center, 5265601 Tel-Hashomer, Israel ; Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Israel.
authors: Dror
authors: D
authors: Harats
authors: The Bert W. Strassburger Lipid Center, Sheba Medical Center, 5265601 Tel-Hashomer, Israel.
authors: Ayelet
authors: A
authors: Harari
authors: N.B.T., Eilat, Israel.
authors: Ami
authors: A
authors: Ben-Amotz
authors: The Bert W. Strassburger Lipid Center, Sheba Medical Center, 5265601 Tel-Hashomer, Israel ; Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Israel.
authors: Rafael
authors: R
authors: Bitzur
authors: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary.
authors: Ralph
authors: R
authors: Rühl
authors: The Bert W. Strassburger Lipid Center, Sheba Medical Center, 5265601 Tel-Hashomer, Israel.
authors: Aviv
authors: A
authors: Shaish
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001057:Apolipoproteins E / Q000172:deficiency*; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D014802:Vitamin A Deficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D019207:beta Carotene / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D001057:Apolipoproteins E; D019207:beta Carotene; D014801:Vitamin A; D002784:Cholesterol