title: Policosanol as a new inhibitor candidate for vascular calcification in diabetic hyperlipidemic rats.
abstract: This work mainly aimed to investigate the probable changes of aortic calcification by policosanol, omega-3 fatty acids in comparison with atorvastatin and subsequent progression of atherosclerosis in diabetic hyperlipemic rat model. Adult male albino rats of wistar strain (30) were divided into five groups (n = 6/group); one was fed normal diet and was used as a normal group, the other groups received alloxan, atherogenic diet (CCT - rat chow diet supplemented with 4% cholesterol, 1% cholic acid, and 0.5% thiouracil) and categorized as follows: the second group received no treatment and kept as control (diabetic hyperlipidemic control group (DHC)). The other groups received daily oral doses of atorvastatin, policosanol (10 mg/kg body weight) and ω-3 (50 mg/kg body weight), respectively, for eight weeks. Different biomarkers were used for the evaluation that included inflammatory (C reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α)), oxidative stress (glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA)) bone calcification markers (alkaline phosphatase (ALP), Vitamin D, parathyroid hormone (PTH)), lipogram pattern in addition to histochemical demonstration of calcium in the aorta. Diabetic hyperlipemic group demonstrated significant hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, and increased inflammation, oxidative stress, calcification, and finally atherogenesis progression. Treatment of diabetic hyperlipemic rats with, policosanol, omega-3 fatty acids (natural products) and atorvastatin for eight weeks significantly increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), Vitamin D, decreased aortic vacuoles number, and inhibited calcification process. Policosanol induced more remarkable reduction in the density and number of foam cells and improved the intimal lesions of the aorta as compared to atorvastatin. Drugs under study exerted hypoglycemic effect along with an inhibition of inflammation, oxidative stress, and calcium deposition with certain variations but policosanol effect was remarkable in comparison with other drugs.
authors.affiliation: Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44519, Egypt mmelseweidy@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Mohamed M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Elseweidy
authors.affiliation: Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44519, Egypt.
authors.forename: Nabila
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Zein
authors.affiliation: Pharmacognosy Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44519, Egypt.
authors.forename: Samih E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Aldhamy
authors.affiliation: Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44519, Egypt.
authors.forename: Marwa M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Elsawy
authors.affiliation: Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44519, Egypt.
authors.forename: Saeid A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Saeid
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000069059:Atorvastatin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D002113:Calcification, Physiologic / Q000187:drug effects; D003921:Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / Q000150:complications*; D059305:Diet, High-Fat / Q000009:adverse effects; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005233:Fatty Alcohols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006949:Hyperlipidemias / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000097:blood; D061205:Vascular Calcification / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D005233:Fatty Alcohols; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; C080710:policosanol; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D000069059:Atorvastatin
keywords: Diabetic hyperlipidemia; aortic calcification; atorvastatin; inflammation; omega-3 fatty acids; oxidative stress; policosanol