Leyla Karkhaneh1, Parichehreh Yaghmaei2, Kazem Parivar1, Majid Sadeghizadeh3, Azadeh Ebrahim-Habibi4. 1. Department of Biology, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran. 2. Department of Biology, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran. Electronic address: yaghmaei_p@srbiau.ac.ir. 3. Department of Genetics, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran. 4. Biosensor Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Molecular-Cellular Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Electronic address: azadehabibi@yahoo.fr.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Trans-chalcone is the precursor molecule to flavonoids and possesses antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of trans-chalcone on atheroma plaque formation and the relevant biochemical parameters in high cholesterol diet (HCD)-fed NMRI mice. METHODS: Fifty male NMRI mice were divided into 5 groups (n=10 per group): control (received a normal diet); HCD (received an additional 2% cholesterol for 18 weeks); sham (received a HCD for 12 weeks and were then shifted to a normal diet and trans-chalcone vehicle (sunflower oil) for 6 weeks), and two experimental groups (received a HCD for 12 weeks and were then shifted to a normal diet and either 12mg/kg or 24mg/kg trans-chalcone for 6 weeks). RESULTS: After 12 weeks, HCD-induced atheroma plaques were observed by hematoxylin and eosin staining of aortic sections. At the end of experiment, the following factors had significantly increased in the HCD group: body weight, insulin resistance, and serum levels of triglycerides, total-cholesterol, glucose, insulin, leptin, liver enzymes (AST and ALT), malondialdehyde and direct bilirubin. The serum levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, adiponectin, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione had considerably decreased. Histologic analysis of liver sections indicated hepatic fibrosis and steatosis. Treatment by both doses of trans-chalcone, particularly the 24mg/kg dose, significantly attenuated these alterations. CONCLUSIONS: Administration of trans-chalcone improved the consequences of atheroma plaque formation and liver fibrosis via increased expression of adiponectin, generation of higher levels of antioxidant enzymes, as well as modulation of serum leptin and lipid profiles.
BACKGROUND:Trans-chalcone is the precursor molecule to flavonoids and possesses antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of trans-chalcone on atheroma plaque formation and the relevant biochemical parameters in high cholesterol diet (HCD)-fed NMRI mice. METHODS: Fifty male NMRI mice were divided into 5 groups (n=10 per group): control (received a normal diet); HCD (received an additional 2% cholesterol for 18 weeks); sham (received a HCD for 12 weeks and were then shifted to a normal diet and trans-chalcone vehicle (sunflower oil) for 6 weeks), and two experimental groups (received a HCD for 12 weeks and were then shifted to a normal diet and either 12mg/kg or 24mg/kg trans-chalcone for 6 weeks). RESULTS: After 12 weeks, HCD-induced atheroma plaques were observed by hematoxylin and eosin staining of aortic sections. At the end of experiment, the following factors had significantly increased in the HCD group: body weight, insulin resistance, and serum levels of triglycerides, total-cholesterol, glucose, insulin, leptin, liver enzymes (AST and ALT), malondialdehyde and direct bilirubin. The serum levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, adiponectin, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione had considerably decreased. Histologic analysis of liver sections indicated hepatic fibrosis and steatosis. Treatment by both doses of trans-chalcone, particularly the 24mg/kg dose, significantly attenuated these alterations. CONCLUSIONS: Administration of trans-chalcone improved the consequences of atheroma plaque formation and liver fibrosis via increased expression of adiponectin, generation of higher levels of antioxidant enzymes, as well as modulation of serum leptin and lipid profiles.
Authors: Larissa Staurengo-Ferrari; Kenji W Ruiz-Miyazawa; Felipe A Pinho-Ribeiro; Victor Fattori; Tiago H Zaninelli; Stephanie Badaro-Garcia; Sergio M Borghi; Thacyana T Carvalho; Jose C Alves-Filho; Thiago M Cunha; Fernando Q Cunha; Rubia Casagrande; Waldiceu A Verri Journal: Front Pharmacol Date: 2018-10-02 Impact factor: 5.810