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Effect of trans-chalcone on atheroma plaque formation, liver fibrosis and adiponectin gene expression in cholesterol-fed NMRI mice

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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 12 mg/kg or 24 mg/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 24 mg/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.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

    Leyla Karkhaneh, Parichehreh Yaghmaei & Kazem Parivar

  2. Department of Genetics, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran

    Majid Sadeghizadeh

  3. Biosensor Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Molecular-Cellular Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

    Azadeh Ebrahim-Habibi

  4. Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

    Azadeh Ebrahim-Habibi

Authors
  1. Leyla Karkhaneh
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  2. Parichehreh Yaghmaei
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  3. Kazem Parivar
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  4. Majid Sadeghizadeh
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  5. Azadeh Ebrahim-Habibi
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Correspondence to Parichehreh Yaghmaei or Azadeh Ebrahim-Habibi.

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Karkhaneh, L., Yaghmaei, P., Parivar, K. et al. Effect of trans-chalcone on atheroma plaque formation, liver fibrosis and adiponectin gene expression in cholesterol-fed NMRI mice. Pharmacol. Rep 68, 720–727 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pharep.2016.03.004

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pharep.2016.03.004

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