Fennel seeds extract prevents fructose-induced cardiac dysfunction in a rat model of metabolic syndrome via targeting abdominal obesity, hyperuricemia and NF-κß inflammatory pathway.

BACKGROUND: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is commonly associated with increased risk of cardiac disease that affects a large number of world populations. OBJECTIVE: This research attempted to investigate the efficacy of fennel seeds extract (FSE) in preventing development of cardiac dysfunction in rats on fructose enriched diet for 3 months, as a model of MetS. MATERIALS & METHODS: Thirty adult Wistar male rats (160-170 g) were assigned into 5 groups including control, vehicle, FSE (200 mg/kg BW) and fructose (60%) fed rats with and without FSE. Following the last treatment, blood pressure, ECG and heart rate were measured. Next, blood and cardiac tissues were taken for biochemical and histological investigations. RESULTS: Feeding fructose exhibited characteristic features of MetS involving, hypertension, abnormal ECG, elevated heart rate, serum glucose, insulin, lipids and insulin resistance, accompanied by abdominal obesity, cardiac hypertrophy and hyperuricemia. Fructose fed rats also showed significant reduction in cardiac antioxidants (GSH, SOD, CAT) with elevation in oxidative stress indices (NADPH oxidase, O2.-, H2O2, MDA, PCO), NF-κß, pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1ß, IL-6), adhesion molecules (ICAM-1, VCAM-1) and serum cardiac biomarkers (AST, LDH, CK-MB, cTn-I). Histopathological changes evidenced by destruction of cardiac myofibrils, cytoplasmic vacuolization, and aggregation of inflammatory cells were also detected. Consumption of FSE showed high ability to alleviate fructose-induced hypertension, ECG abnormalities, cardiac hypertrophy, metabolic alterations, oxidative stress, inflammation and histological injury. CONCLUSION: Findings could suggest FSE as a complementary supplement for preventing MetS and associated cardiac outcomes. However, well controlled clinical studies are still needed.