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Endothelium-derived nitric oxide (eNO) is a multifunctional signaling molecule critically involved in the maintenance of metabolic and cardiovascular homeostasis. In addition to its role as a potent endogenous vasodilator, eNO suppresses key processes in vascular lesion formation and opposes atherogenesis. This review discusses eNO as an antiatherogenic molecule and highlights factors that influence its bioavailability and therapeutic approaches to restore or enhance its levels [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Ethnopharmacological relevance: Although Casearia sylvestris Swartz is used in Brazilian folk medicine to treat obesity, no study has been conducted to evaluate the effects of this species in an experimental model of dyslipidemia and atherosclerosis. So, the aim of this study was to evaluate possible hypolipemiant and antiatherogenic activity of the methanolic extract obtained from Casearia sylvestris (MECS) using Swiss and C57BL/6 LDLr-null mice undergoing high fat diet (HFD). Material and methods: Dyslipidemia and atherogenesis were induced by the administration of commercial HFD for 4 weeks. The MECS was administered orally at doses of 250 and 500mg/kg, once a day, for two weeks, starting from the 2nd week of HFD. The gain in body weight and systolic blood pressure (SBP) were measured weekly over the four week study. At the end of the experiments the levels of triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C) were measured by colorimetric method. Aldosterone, vasopressin and angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) activity were also evaluated in collected serum. The renal function, atherogenic index serum (AIS) and in vitro antiplatelet activity were investigated. Additionally, histopathological analyzes were performed to determine the intima-media thickness (IMT) and intima media ratio (IMR) in aorta samples. Results: The HFD induced dyslipidemia and major structural changes in the aortic wall, including raising of the systolic blood pressure in LDLr-null mice. In addition, we observed an increase in lipid peroxidation accompanied by a reduction of serum nitrite. The treatment with MECS was able to prevent the increase of SBP, TC, LDL-C, VLDL-C and triglycerides levels and increase HDL-C in Swiss and LDLr-null mice. These effects were accompanied by a significant reduction in oxidative stress. Moreover, AIS, IMT and IMR were significantly reduced in MECS-treated mice, and the extract was able to reduce platelet aggregation in vitro. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that MECS reduces the serum lipids and oxidative stress when orally administered to Swiss and LDLr-null mice. In addition, it was able to prevent arterial thickening induced by HFD and to inhibit platelet aggregation in vitro. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Aims: Flax seeds and soya bean are a rich source of unsaturated fatty acids, antioxidants and fibers known to have anti-atherogenic activities. The study attempted to evaluate the effect of flaxseed and soya bean supplementation on serum lipids of dyslipidemic subjects. Methods: The subjects were divided into three groups: Experimental group-I (E-I), experimental group-II (E-II) and a control group (C). Group E-I was given 30 g of roasted flaxseed chutney powder and group E-II was given 30 g of soya nuts for 12 weeks. Both groups and the control group were prescribed with similar dietary guidelines. Anthropometric parameters, blood pressure and blood lipid profile were estimated before and after completion of the study. Results: Twelve week therapeutic intervention indicated significant drop (P < 0.05) in blood pressure, whereas a highly significant reduction (P < 0.01) was noted in Total cholesterol and triglycerides. A significant improvement in high density lipoprotein cholesterol was recorded in the groups receiving flaxseed (P < 0.01) and soya bean (P < 0.05). Body mass index, cardiac risk ratio, atherogenic coefficient and atherogenicity index of plasma were also found to improve significantly. Conclusion: These findings suggest that therapeutic intervention with flaxseed and soya may be a preliminary, but efficacious means of improving cholesterol and triglyceride levels in those diagnosed with dyslipidemia and may also be advocated in place of drug therapy when cholesterol levels soar just above the normal range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hypercholesterolemia and oxidative stress are the main stimulating factors responsible for coronary artery disease and progression of atherosclerosis. Dairy food products are rich in conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) which is considered as an important component due to its potential health benefits such as anticarcinogenic, antiatherogenic, antidiabetic and antiadipogenic properties. In the present study, the effect of CLA enriched ghee on the antioxidant enzyme system and antiatherogenic properties in Wistar rats has been studied. Methods: Female Wistar rats of 21 days were taken for the study and fed with soybean diet (Control diet), low CLA diet and high CLA ghee diet (treatments) for thirty five days for studying antioxidative enzymes and sixteen weeks in case of antiatherogenic studies. Results: Feeding of high CLA enhanced ghee during pubescent period in rats lead to an increase in catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzyme activities in blood and increased CAT, SOD and glutathione transferase (GST) enzymes activities in liver by 27, 130 and 168 percent, respectively. Plasma nitrate concentration and Haemoglobin levels remained the same in all the treatments. Feeding of high CLA ghee resulted in lower (P < 0.01) plasma cholesterol & triglyceride level (52.17 and 30.27%), and higher high density lipoproteins (33.26%) than feeding of soybean oil (control group) and thus manifested in decreased (P < 0.05) atherogenic index (from 0.472 to 0.244). Lesser cholesterol and triglyceride levels were observed in the liver and aorta of high CLA fed rats than in those of the other groups. Histopathological studies of liver showed normal hepatic cords with portal triad in the high CLA ghee fed rats whereas fatty degeneration of hepatocytes containing fat vacuoles was observed in the liver of the other groups. Conclusion: This paper is the first report of the antioxidant and antiatherogenic properties of the high CLA enriched ghee suggesting that high CLA ghee can be used as a potential food for decreasing the risk of cardiovascular diseases, particularly in India, where, ghee is widely used for culinary and medicinal purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: To determine whether the two major compounds of Erythrina lysistemon are active principles accounting for Erythrina estrogenic effects, we used a postmenopause-like model of ovariectomized Wistar rats to evaluate their effects on some menopausal problems. Ovariectomized rats were orally treated either with compound 1 or compound 2 at 1 and 10mg/kg BW for 28days. Estradiol valerate served as the reference substance. As results, compounds 1 and 2 displayed estrogen-like effects on the uterus and the vagina, and reduced atherogenic risks by decreasing the two assessed atherogenic parameters, the total cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol ratio and the atherogenic index of plasma. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Olive tree ( Olea europaea L.) leaves have been widely used in traditional remedies in European and Mediterranean countries such as Greece, Spain, Italy, France, Turkey, Israel, Morocco, and Tunisia. They have been used in the human diet as an extract, an herbal tea, and a powder, and they contain many potentially bioactive compounds that may have antioxidant, antihypertensive, antiatherogenic, anti-inflammatory, hypoglycemic, and hypocholesterolemic properties. One of these potentially bioactive compounds is the secoiridoid oleuropein, which can constitute up to 6–9% of dry matter in the leaves. Other bioactive components found in olive leaves include related secoiridoids, flavonoids, and triterpenes. The evidence supporting the potentially beneficial effects of olive leaves on human health are presented in this brief review. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: An emerging consensus underscores the importance of oxidative events in vascular disease including excess production of reactive oxygen/nitrogen species (ROS/RNS), in addition to lipoprotein oxidation. Sesamum indicum has long been used extensively as a traditional food. The aim of present study was to evaluate antioxidant action of aqueous and ethanolic seed extracts from S. indicum using various in vitro ROS/RNS generated chemical and biological models. Results demonstrated that the graded-dose (25–1000μg/ml) of aqueous and ethanolic extracts markedly scavenged the nitric oxide, superoxide, hydroxyl, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl and 2,2′-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radicals and, showed metal chelating ability as well as reducing capacity in Fe3+/ferricyanide complex and ferric reducing antioxidant power assays. In biological models, both extracts were found to inhibit metal-induced lipid peroxidation in mitochondrial fractions, human serum and LDL oxidation models. In lipoprotein kinetics study, both extracts significantly (P <0.05) increased lag phase time along with reduced oxidation rate and conjugated dienes production. Ethanolic extract of S. indicum showed higher amounts of total polyphenol and flavonoid content as compared to their counterpart. The IC50 values of both extracts were compared with respective antioxidant standards. Overall, ethanolic extract of S. indicum possess strong antioxidant capacity and offering effective protection against LDL oxidation susceptibility. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Background: Health aspects of seafood have primarily been linked to n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Although animal studies have suggested beneficial contributions from taurine, highly abundant in seafood, its effect in humans is obscure. This study evaluates the combined effects of n-3 PUFA and taurine. Methods: Healthy volunteers (n =80) were recruited to a 7-week double-blind and parallel intervention trial. One group (n =39) received fish pâté (36g/day) enriched in n-3 (1.1gEPA+DHA/day) and the second (n =41) an identical pâté enriched both in n-3 and taurine (425mg/day). Results: Total cholesterol (TC) (−5%, P <0.001), low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol (−8%, P <0.001) and Apo B (−4%, P <0.001) decreased more in the n-3+taurine compared to the n-3 group. A significant within-group enhancement of high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol was demonstrated in the n-3+taurine group (6%, P <0.0001). Reductions in triacylglycerol (TG) (−16%, P <0.05 in n-3; −14%, P <0.05 in n-3+taurine), thromboxane B2 (TxB2) (−21%, P <0.001 in n-3; −15%, P <0.05 in n-3+taurine), tumor necrosis factor (TNFα) (−24%, P <0.001 in n-3; −12%, P <0.05 in n-3+taurine) and monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP-1) (−12%, P <0.05 in n-3; −6%, P < 0.0001 in n-3+taurine) were evident in both groups. Reductions in interleukin (IL)-6 (−16%, P < 0.05) and LTB4 (−18%, P < 0.05) were only significant in the n-3 group. Conclusions: The effects, particularly on blood lipids, of combining n-3 PUFA''s and taurine proved superior to those of n-3 alone. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Eclipta prostrata (Linn) has been used as a traditional medicinal plant to prevent lipidemia and atherosclerosis in Asia. However, its functional properties and the underlying mechanism of action have not been clearly defined. This study was conducted to elucidate the biological basis for hypolipidemic and antioxidant activities of E prostrata. Charles River Sprague-Dawley CD rats (specific pathogen-free/viral antibody-free Crj/Bgi male, 180 ± 10 g) were fed experimental diets supplemented with 0 mg (control), 25 mg (E25), 50 mg (E50), or 100 mg (E100) of a freeze-dried butanol fraction of E prostrata per kilogram of diet for 6 weeks. Serum triacylglycerol and total cholesterol levels were significantly lower in the E50 and E100 groups by 9.8% to 19.0% and by 10.7% to 13.4%, respectively, and low-density lipoprotein–cholesterol levels were significantly reduced in the same groups by 10.3% to 13.0% compared with the untreated control group. The E50 and E100 groups also showed significantly increased high-density lipoprotein–cholesterol levels (13.0%-19.1%) compared with the control group. Atherogenic indices were decreased by 9.8% to 30.5% in all groups fed diets supplemented with E prostrata. Furthermore, serum hydroxyl radical, lipid peroxide, and oxidized protein levels were significantly decreased in the E50 and E100 groups. These results clearly demonstrate the effects of E prostrata on serum lipid and oxidative metabolism in rats. The health-promoting effects of E prostrata, which were demonstrated in this study in a rat model, may have implications for atherosclerosis and hypercholesterolemia in humans. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Oxidative dimerization of ferulic acid methyl ester afforded dihydrobenzofuran derivative and new linear compound identified by X-ray crystallography. The gallate derivatized dihydrobenzofuran analogue was obtained and all compounds were evaluated for potential antiatherogenic, antiplasmodial (best IC50 =0.8μM) and cytotoxic activities. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Coronary arterial diseases are responsible for more deaths than all other associated causes combined. Elevated serum cholesterol levels leading to atherosclerosis can cause coronary heart disease (CHD). Reduction in serum cholesterol levels reduces the risk for CHD, substantially. Medicinal chemists all around the world have been designing, synthesizing, and evaluating a variety of new bioactive molecules for lowering lipid levels. This review summarizes the disorders associated with elevation of lipids in blood and the current strategies to control them. The emphasis has been laid in particular on the new potential biological targets and the possible treatments as well as the current ongoing research status in the field of lipid lowering agents. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is a group of geometrical and positional isomers of linoleic acid (C18:2, cis-9, cis-12). In contrast to linoleic acid, double bonds in CLA are usually located at positions 9 and 11 or 10 and 12 and each double bond can be either in the cis or trans configuration. Meat and dairy products from ruminant animals (such as milk, butter, yogurt and cheese) are the principal natural sources of CLA in the human diet. Egg and meat products from poultry contain less CLA than meat from ruminant animals (0.6 and 0.9 mg/g fat vs. 2.9 to 5.6 mg/g fat, respectively). Meat from turkeys contains much higher CLA relative to meat from chickens. Dietary CLA has been shown to have potent anticarcinogenic and antiatherogenic effects in animal models. CLA was also found to have a potent immune modulating activity characterized by increased blastogenesis and macrophage killing ability. In addition to these biological properties, CLA was reported to reduce body fat content and increase lean body mass in pigs and rodents. Because of these biological properties of CLA, recently there has been a lot of interest in enriching egg, meat and dairy products for human consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The oxidative modification of low-density lipoproteins (LDL) is supposed to play a critical role in atherogenesis. During this oxidation a potent inflammatory phospholipid mediator named platelet activating factor (PAF) is produced, and it is believed to be the key for the initiation of the inflammation and therefore for the process of atherogenesis. From many studies, it is established that wine has beneficial effects on health, including protection against cardiovascular diseases. According to our point of view, the cardioprotective effect of wine may be attributed partly to the existence of PAF antagonists in red or white wine and partly to the existence of antioxidants that reduce the oxidation of LDL and therefore the production of PAF. In this study, wine compounds that antagonize PAF were isolated and purified via chromatographic procedures, and determined structurally using chemical, enzymatic and spectroscopic methods. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Soybean oil modulates the fatty acid synthesis of goat mammary gland. • The increase of soybean oil improved progressively the nutritional milk quality. • Soybean oil increased the MUFA, PUFA, C18:1 trans-11, C18:2 trans-10, cis-12, omega-3, unsaturated: saturated and PUFA: saturated ratios. • Soybean oil reduced the saturated fatty acids, especially C:12:0, C14:00 and C16:00. • Soybean oil supplementation decreased in a linear manner the omega-6: omega-3 ratio in milk. The objective of this study was to evaluate the productive performance, macro compounds and fatty acid (FA) profile of goats' milk receiving diets supplemented with three amounts of soybean oil. Additionally, we tested to which extent lactating goats can positively respond to the influence of the soybean oil supplementation. Our hypothesis is that the FA profile in the milk will change with the increasing doses of soybean oil, i.e., the healthy FAs concentrations will increase and the concentration of harmful FAs will reduce. Eight primiparous Saanen goats weighing 39 ± 3.5 kg, with approximately 35 days of lactation and daily production of 1.8 ± 0.30 kg were evaluated. The experimental design was arranged as a double Latin Square 4 × 4. Goats were allocated in individual tie-stall pens and submitted to the following diets: control = 400 g/kg of dry matter (DM) of corn silage and 600 g/kg DM of concentrate without oil addition; 15 = 400 g/kg DM of corn silage and 585 g/kg DM of concentrate with addition of 15 g of soybean oil/kg of the diet's DM; 30 = 400 g/kg DM of corn silage and 570 g/kg DM of concentrate with addition of 30 g of soybean oil/kg of the diet's DM; 45 = 400 g/kg DM of corn silage and 555 g/kg DM of concentrate with addition of 45 g of soybean oil/kg of the diet's DM. The soybean oil intake reduced daily milk production in all diets, except for diet 30. Production efficiency was not influenced by the diets. When compared to control, diet 45 resulted in an increase in the concentration of fat (29.1 %), lactose (4.9 %), total solids (10.4 %) and non-fat solids (5.7 %) in the milk, although it did not provide protein increase. Diet 45, when compared to the control, reduced the concentration of C8:0 and C10:0 FA by more than 60 %. Diet 45 also reduced by more than 26 % the total concentration of saturated FA (C12:0, C14:0, C15:0, C16:0 and C18:0), especially those with atherogenic properties such as C12:0 (97 %), C14:0 (40 %) and C16:0 (33 %). In addition, the inclusion of soybean oil increased the concentration of those FA that are beneficial to health, such as C18:1 cis-9 , C18:2 cis-9, cis-12, C18:3 cis-9, cis-12, cis-15, C18:2 trans-10, cis-12 (antiobesity factor), C18:1 trans-11 (precursor for endogenous synthesis of rumenic acid), omega-3, unsaturated: saturated and PUFA: saturated ratios. The results corroborated our hypothesis that the healthy FAs concentrations increase and the concentration of harmful FAs will reduce with increasing oils doses in goats' diet, in doses as high as 4.5 %. As far as we know, this is the first study that includes three concentrations of oil supplemented in the feed (accessing in more details the progressive changes in the FA milk profile) and that used a concentration as high as 4.5 % of oil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]