Document Type : Original Article (s)
Authors
1
Department of Biotechnology, School of Agriculture, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan, Iran
2
Assistant Professor, Department of Animal Sciences, School of Agriculture, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan, Iran
3
Assistant Professor, Department of Physiology, Physiology Research Center, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
4
MSc Student, Department of Physiology, Physiology Research Center, School of Medicine And Student Research Commitee, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
Abstract
Background: Inhibition of endothelial dysfunction and denudation contributes to the attenuation of atherosclerosis. Numerous studies have suggested that nutritional antioxidants can contribute to the reduction of atherosclerotic lesions. The goals of the present study were to investigate the beneficial effects of pomegranate peel extract in rabbits fed on a high cholesterol diet and to analyze the anti-atherosclerotic activity of the extract. Methods: Endothelial progenitor cell (EPC) numbers and atherosclerotic lesion size were determined in rabbits fed on normal diet (control group), high cholesterol diet (HC group), and high cholesterol diet with pomegranate peel antioxidant extract (0.1% in drinking water) (POM or pomegranate group). Findings: Pomegranate peel antioxidant-extract supplementation significantly increased EPC numbers (9.95 ± 1.60 in POM group vs. 3.60 ± 2.20 in HC group and 2.01 ± 0.60 in control group; P < 0.05) and inhibited the progression of atherosclerotic lesion formation in aorta of rabbits (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Our results suggested that the beneficial effects of pomegranate peel antioxidant extract in prevention of atherosclerosis may be due to the modulation of EPC numbers and potentiation of the endothelial regeneration. Keywords: Atherosclerosis, Pomegranate, Antioxidant, Anthocyanin, Endothelial progenitor cells
)