title: Effects of Persian leek (Allium ampeloprasum) on hepatic lipids and the expression of proinflammatory gene in hamsters fed a high-fat/ high-cholesterol diet.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Persian leek is one of the most widely used herbal foods among Iranians. In this study, effects of oral administration of Persian leek on plasma and liver lipids were examined in hamster.
  
  
  METHODS
  Male Syrian hamsters were randomly divided into three groups: control (standard diet), high fat control (high-fat/high-cholesterol diet), Persian leek (high-fat/high-cholesterol diet + 1% per weight of diet from dried powdered Persian leek) for 14 weeks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  High fat diet increased plasma and liver lipids as compared to standard diet. Adding Persian leek to the high-fat/high-cholesterol diet resulted in no significant changes in the concentration of the plasma lipids or liver cholesterol. However, liver triglycerides (TG), plasma Alanine aminotransferase and gene expression of tumor necrosis factor- α were decreased in hamsters fed high-fat diet containing Persian leek as compared to high-fat diet only.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Persian leek might be considered as a herbal food that can reduce liver TG accumulation induced by high fat diets.
authors: Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Nutrition Sciences and Food Technology, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors: Vahideh
authors: V
authors: Fatoorechi
authors: Faculty of Nutrition Sciences and Food Technology, ShahidBeheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors: Marjan
authors: M
authors: Rismanchi
authors: National Nutrition and Food Technology Research Institute, Faculty of Nutrition Sciences and Food Technology, Department of Clinical Nutrition & Dietetics, ShahidBeheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors: Javad
authors: J
authors: Nasrollahzadeh
keywords: High fat; Hyperlipidemia; Leek; Liver lipids