[Antioxidant effect of ziziphus vulgaris, portulaca oleracea, berberis integerima and gundelia tournefortti on lipid peroxidation, Hb glycosylation and red blood cell hemolysis]

Oxidative damage may play a role in the development of atherosclerosis and diabetes mellitus. Antioxidant could help to protect against oxidative stress related disorders. We studied the antioxidant effects of some plants, namely, Ziziphus vulgaris, Portulaca oleracea, Berberis integerima, Gundelia tournefortti on the above mentioned reactions. Ethanolic and water extracts of the mentioned plants were prepared in three different concentrations: 2.5, 5 and 10 micro g/ml. Hepatocytes of rat were exposed to AAPH. The amount of Serum glutamate oxaloacetate transferase [SGOT] released from membrane lipid peroxidation was also measured in presence and absence of the plant extract. The changes of hemoglobin [Glycosylation[and red blood cell hemolysis were measured in the presence and absence of the extract. The percent of oxidation inhibition was compared with that in control subjects. The results showed all plants had antioxidant effects on hemolysis of red blood cell. The highest extent of hemolysis inhibition of red blood cell was due to Ziziphus. The highest glycosylation inhibition of hemoglobin was shown by Gundelia and Berberis. Portulaca, Gundelia and Berberis decreased SGOT release from hepatocytes, but the least extent of lipid peroxidation inhibition was shown by Ziziphus. This study showed that the plants have an antioxidant effect and they can be probably used as an antioxidant in food supplement in diabetic, atherosclerotic and liver disease patients

Hypocholesterolemic and antiatherosclerotic effect of Artemisia aucheri in hypercholesterolemic rabbits

Atherosclerosis which results from gradual deposition of lipids in arteries is a leading cause of mortality worldwide. Diet is one of the most important factors underlying atherosclerosis. High-cholesterol diets enhance atherosclerosis and vegetarian diets are known to slow down the process. Artemisia aucheri is a herb of the Composite family. Many species of Artemisia have proven hypolipidemic and antioxidant properties. This study determine the effects of Artemisia aucheri on lipoproteins and atherosclerosis in hypercholesterolemic rabbits. Fifteen male rabbits were randomly divided into three groups. Normal diet group, high-cholesterol diet group [1% cholesterol] and Artemisia aucheri group [1% cholesterol diet supplemented with 100 mg/kg body weight the Artemisi aucheri every other day]. Biochemical factors were measured at the start, end of the first and second months of the study. At the end of the study, the aorta were removed for assessment of atherosclerotic plaques. The results indicate that Artemisia aucheri significantly reduced the level of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglycerids and increased HDL cholesterol. The degree of atherosclerotic thickness was significantly reduced in the treated group. Therefore, Artemisia aucheri is one of the useful herbal medicine for preventation of atherosclerosis and more studies in this regard is recommended

Effect of Artemisia aucheri extract on atherogenic lipids and atherogenesis in hypercholesterolemic rabbits

Atherosclerosis that is caused a gradual deposition of lipids in muscular arteries remain a major cause of mortality worldwide. Dietary is one of the most important environmental factors associated with the incidence of these diseases. Diets high in cholesterol have been shown to promote atherosclerosis. Inversly diets high in vegetables have been shown to reduce development this disease. In many species of Artemisia evaluated antioxidative properties. The objective of this study was evaluating the effect of Artemisia aucheri extract on blood lipids and development of atherosclerosis in rabbits fed by a high cholesterol diet. Fifteen male rabbits were randomly divided in three experimental groups [normal diet group, hypercholesterolemic diet [HCD] group and the group that fed by HCD + supplemented with 100 mg/kg body weight Artemisia aucheri extract every other day]. Total cholesterol [TC], LDL cholesterol, triglycerides [TG] and HDL cholesterol were measured before and after 1 and 2 months of experimental period. At the end of the experimental period the aorta was removed for assessment of atherosclerotic plaques. Artemisia aucheri significantly reduced the levels of TC, LDL, TG and significantly increased the level of HDL. Degree of atherosclerotic plaque significantly reduced in this group. Results of this study indicate that Artemisia aucheri extract inhibits the development of atherosclerosis. This may be related to the effect of Artemisia aucheri on plasma lipoproteins in addition to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties

Comparing the effect of two different hormonal therapy regimens on the activity coagulation factors VII, VIII, IX and serum lipids in menopausal women

During extrinsic coagulation pathway, a complex is developed between factor VII, calcium and tissue factor [a cell membrane lipoprotein that is exposed after cell injury]. Factor VII needs calcium and vitamin K for its biologic activation. Coronary artery disease [CAD] can be induced by increased level and activity of the coagulation factors VII, VIII and IX. In postmenopausal women, estrogen decreases blood lipids and thereby decreases risk of CAD. However, the exact effects of the estrogen on the other predisposing factors of CAD are unknown. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of oral hormone therapy regimen on fibrinogen and other coagulation factors. Sixty menopausal women with history of hysterectomy were randomly allocated in 2 groups. One group was treated with conjugated estrogen 0.625 mg/day and the other group was treated with conjugated estrogen 0.625 mg/day and medroxyprogesterone 2.5 mg/day. Serum fibrinogen level and activity of coagulation factors VII, VIII and IX and blood lipids level were checked before and 3 months after treatment. In the group treated with estrogen alone, mean factor VII activity showed significant increase 3 months after treatment as compared to before hormone therapy [P<0.05]. There were no significant changes in mean activities of coagulation factors VIII, IX and serum fibrinogen level in patients treated with estrogen or estrogen/medroxyprogesterone after treatment [P>0.05]. In both groups, hormone therapy significantly decreased serum cholesterol level and LDL-C and increased HDL-C [P>0.00], but serum triglyceride level increased in the group only treated with estrogen. Significant increase of coagulation factor VII and serum triglyceride in estrogen-treated patients is logical. This study confirms that hormone therapy with this protocol does not change mean serum fibrinogen levels and activity of coagulation factor VIII and IX. This may be a genuine finding or may be due to inadequacy of samples, given the wide normal range of coagulation factors and serum fibrinogen. Studies with more prolonged follow-up or more samples are warranted

inhibitory effect of fasting on lipid peroxidation ; a protective role on cardiovascular system

Fasting [avoiding to eat or drink between sunrise and sunset] in the holy month of Ramadan is one of the religious duties in Islam. It seems that the level of some blood components changes during this month. To determine the effect of fasting on the level of lipid peroxidation and fasting blood sugar. Fifty healthy 30-60 year old men intending to fast during the holy month of Ramadan were included in the study. The plasma levels of MDA, CDs, serum level of triglycerides [TG], cholesterol and fasting blood sugar [FBS] were measured a day before, and on the last day of the fasting month. MDA and CDs were measured using spectrophotometric procedure. Triglycerides, cholestrol and FBS were enzymatically measured using an ELAN autoanalyzer system. The Student's t-test was used to compare pre-and post-Ramadan values. The results were indicative of a significant decrease in the levels of MDA, TG and cholestrol during Ramadan [p<0.05]. The FBS levels were also lower, but the decrease was not significant [p>0.05]. The levels of CDs were not changed significantly. Based on our data and the significant reduction of MDA level during Ramadan and also considering the important role of LDL-oxidation in the production of atherosclerotic plaques, it seems that the one-month period of fasting may have preventive effects on development of atherosclerosis

study of plasma lipid peroxidation, lipids and blood sugar level in opium addicts compared with control group

Addiction to opioids is a major health challenge in the world today. A few studies have addressed the effects of these substances and the wrong beliefs surrounding their use. This study was designed to compare plasma lipid peroxidation levels, blood lipids, fasting blood sugar [FBS], and glycosylated hemoglobin [HbA1C] in opium addicts and non-addict control subjects. This case-control study was conducted on a sample consisting of 64 men. The control group comprised 32 cigarette smokers who were studied by urine morphine strip test. The case group included 32 opium addicts with a history of vaporing addiction 1 g/daily for at least 3 years. Data were analyzed by T-test using SPSS and EP16 statistical software. This study showed no significant difference in FBS, HBA1C, triglyceride, total cholesterol, HDL-C, LDL-C, and lipid peroxidation between case and control groups. The results of this study show that opium addiction has no effects on blood sugar or other CVD risk factors and increases the level of malondialdehyde, an important CVD risk factor