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Effect of Artichoke Leaf Extract on Hepatic and Cardiac Oxidative Stress in Rats Fed on High Cholesterol Diet

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Abstract

Hypercholesterolemia and lipid peroxidation play complementary roles in atherosclerosis. Artichoke (Cynara scolymus L., Asteraceae) leaf extract (ALE), rich in antioxidants, has cholesterol-reducing effect. We investigated the effect of ALE on serum and hepatic lipid levels and pro-oxidant–antioxidant balance in the liver and heart of hypercholesterolemic rats. Rats were fed on 4% (w/w) cholesterol and 1% cholic acid (w/w) supplemented diet for 1 month. ALE (1.5 g/kg/day) was given by gavage during the last 2 weeks. High cholesterol (HC) diet caused significant increases in serum and liver cholesterol and triglyceride levels. It increased malondialdehyde (MDA) and diene conjugate (DC) levels in both tissues. Hepatic vitamin E levels and hepatic and cardiac glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities decreased, but superoxide dismutase and glutathione transferase activities, glutathione, and vitamin C levels remained unchanged due to HC diet. Serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels and ratio of cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol decreased in ALE plus HC-treated rats, but liver cholesterol and triglyceride levels remained unchanged. Significant decreases in hepatic and cardiac MDA and DC levels and increases in hepatic vitamin E and GSH-Px activities were observed in ALE-treated hypercholesterolemic rats. Our results indicate that ALE decreases serum lipids and hypercholesterolemia-induced pro-oxidant state in both tissues.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by the Research Fund of Istanbul University (BYP 2316). The authors thank Ari Engineering for their kind gift of ALE.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biochemistry, Istanbul Medical Faculty, Istanbul University, Çapa, 34093, Istanbul, Turkey

    Canan Küçükgergin, A. Fatih Aydın, Gül Özdemirler-Erata, Necla Koçak-Toker & Müjdat Uysal

  2. Department of Biochemistry, Pharmacy Faculty, Near East University, Lefkoşa, North Cyprus, Cyprus

    Güldal Mehmetçik

Authors
  1. Canan Küçükgergin
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  2. A. Fatih Aydın
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  3. Gül Özdemirler-Erata
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  4. Güldal Mehmetçik
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  5. Necla Koçak-Toker
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  6. Müjdat Uysal
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Correspondence to Müjdat Uysal.

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Küçükgergin, C., Aydın, A.F., Özdemirler-Erata, G. et al. Effect of Artichoke Leaf Extract on Hepatic and Cardiac Oxidative Stress in Rats Fed on High Cholesterol Diet. Biol Trace Elem Res 135, 264–274 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-009-8484-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-009-8484-9

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