Antioxidant effects of Citrus aurantifolia (Christm) juice and peel extract on LDL oxidation

Background: We studied the antioxidant effects of fresh juice and peel extract of Citrus aurantifolia (Christm). Methods: Low density lipoprotein (LDL) was separated from one hypercholesterolemic human serum by modified Bronzert and Brewer procedure. Oxidation of LDL was measured at 234 nm against 0, 5, 10, 20, 25, 30 and 40 μl of fresh lime juice and 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 μl of peel polyphenolic extract solution in DMSO. Results: 5 μl of lime juice didn′t change LDL oxidation. 10 μl of juice inhibited LDL oxidation, and with increasing the juice concentration, LDL was oxidized faster. The higher concentrations of peel extract prevented LDL oxidation better than the lower ones. Conclusions: Both juice and peel demonstrated antioxidant properties, but the excessive consumption of lime juice seems not to be beneficial. Regarding the intensity and type of flavonoids, lime juice and peel may show different effects

DOES MORPHINE USE INCREASE RISK OF ATHEROSCLEROSIS IN ANIMALS ON NORMAL OR HIGH-CHOLESTEROL DIET?

Abstract &nbsp;&nbsp; INTRODUCTION: Opioid peptides and exogenous opioids such as morphine have important effects on the cardiovascular system. Today, the opioid system is being considered as a therapeutic target receptor for reducing myocardial ischemia through inhibiting the G protein. Opioid addiction, on the other hand, is one of the major challenges facing humanity and the truth about the effects of opium use on the cardiovascular system is often misted by wrong beliefs. The effect of an exogenous opioid (morphine) on the development and progression of fatty streaks in hypercholesterolemic rabbits was investigated in this study. &nbsp;&nbsp; METHODS: The rabbits were randomly divided into four groups (five in each group): normal, normal + morphine, high-cholesterol, and high-cholesterol + morphine. Biochemical parameters including total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), malondialdehyde, triglyceride (TG), fasting blood sugar (FBS), quantitative chronic reactive protein (CRP), coagulation factor VII, fibrinogen, platelet count, RBC count, WBC count and hemoglobin were measured at the start and end of the study. Pathological studies were conducted on the right and left coronary arteries of the animals to look for evidence of fatty streak formation. &nbsp;&nbsp; RESULTS: The results showed that morphine administration along with a normal diet led to a significant increase in levels of cholesterol, coagulation factor VII, and fibrinogen, while enhancing fatty streak formation in the right and left coronary arteries (P&lt;0.05); it also significantly increased levels of coagulation factor VII, platelets, and weight of rabbits (P&lt;0.05). However, it had no effect on fatty streak formation in the right and left coronary arteries. &nbsp;&nbsp; CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that morphine use with both normal and hypercholesterolemic diet increases the risk factors of cardiovascular diseases and atherosclerosis, although it accelerates the development of early atherosclerotic lesions only when administered with normal diet. &nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Keywords: Atherosclerosis, Morphine, High Cholesterol Diet, Animal Study.</p

Serum Paraoxonase 1 Activity Is Associated with Fatty Acid Composition of High Density Lipoprotein

Introduction. Cardioprotective effect of high density lipoprotein (HDL) is, in part, dependent on its related enzyme, paraoxonase 1 (PON1). Fatty acid composition of HDL could affect its size and structure. On the other hand, PON1 activity is directly related to the structure of HDL. This study was designed to investigate the association between serum PON1 activity and fatty acid composition of HDL in healthy men. Methods. One hundred and forty healthy men participated in this research. HDL was separated by sequential ultracentrifugation, and its fatty acid composition was analyzed by gas chromatography. PON1 activity was measured spectrophotometrically using paraxon as substrate. Results. Serum PON1 activity was directly correlated with the amount of stearic acid and dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid (DGLA). PON1/HDL-C was directly correlated with the amount of miristic acid, stearic acid, and DGLA and was inversely correlated with total amount of ω6 fatty acids of HDL. Conclusion. The fatty acid composition of HDL could affect the activity of its associated enzyme, PON1. As dietary fats are the major determinants of serum lipids and lipoprotein composition, consuming some special dietary fatty acids may improve the activity of PON1 and thereby have beneficial effects on health