The Effects Of Lycopene On Lipid Peroxidation And NADPH Oxidase In Rabbits Fed With High-lipid Diet And Given Balloon Injury

0bjectiveTo investigate the effects of lycopene on lipid peroxidation injure and NADPH oxidase expression of carotid plaque in rabbits fed with high-lipid diet and given balloon injury.MethodsTotally 32 healthy male New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into 4 groups: model group(Model,n=8), sham-operation group(Sham,n=8), lycopene group(LY,10mg/(kg.d);n=8)and atorvastatin group(AT,5mg/(kg.d);n=8). Rabbits in the sham-operation group were fed with normal diet, while those in the rest three groups were fed with high-lipid diet and were given balloon injury operation so that the atherosclerosis model was established. Eight weeks later, the blood samples were collected, the level of lipid and lipid peroxidation in serum, the thickness ratio of tunica intima and media (I/M)in carotid were investigated, the expression of Nox4 and P22phox in carotid plaque was detected through immunohistochemical staining and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) methods.Results1.In comparison with the Model group, the level of TC,TG and LDL-C in serum significantly decreased (P<0.05) in the Sham group, LY group and AT group ,which was no significant difference between the LY group and the AT group (P>0.05). As compared with the Model group, the level of HDL-C in serum significantly increased in the Sham group, LY group and AT group (P<0.05),which was no significant difference among the Sham group, LY group and AT group (P>0.05).2. Contrasted to the Model group, the level of SOD and T-AOC in serum significantly increased, the level of MDA in serum significantly decreased in the Sham group, LY group and AT group (P<0.05). As compared with the AT group, the level of SOD and T-AOC in serum significantly increased, the level of MDA in serum significantly decreased in the LY group(P<0.05) . In comparison with the Sham group, the level of T-AOC in serum significantly increased in the LY group(P<0.05).3. As compared with the Model group, the thickness ratio of tunica intima and tunica media(I/M)in carotid(Model: 2.27±0.37, Sham: 0.08±0.01, LY: 1.35±0.23, AT: 1.51±0.16), in the Sham group, LY group and AT group (P<0.05), which was no significant difference between the LY group and the AT group (P>0.05). 4.In comparison with the Model group, the level of MOD of Nox4 significantly decreased (P<0.05) in the Sham group, LY group and AT group(Model:0.66±0.25;Sham:0.08±0.01; LY:0.28±0.06;AT:0.43±0.04) . As compared with the AT group, the level of MOD of Nox4 significantly decreased in the LY group (P<0.05).5. As compared with the Model group, the expression of Nox4 and P22phox mRNA in carotid plaque significantly decreased, in the Sham group, LY group and AT group (P<0.05). In comparison with the AT group, the expression of Nox4 and P22phox mRNA in carotid plaque significantly decreased, in the LY group(P<0.05).Conclusion1. Lycopene has the ability of regulating blood-lipid, can reduce the level of TC, TG and LDL-C in serum. The ability of regulating blood-lipid is equal between the lycopene and the atorvastatin .2. Lycopene can inhibit the lipid peroxidation. The capability of inhibition of lipid peroxidation of lycopene is better than atorvastatin.3. The inhibitory effect of lycopene on the process of lipid peroxidation injure and atherosclerosis in rabbits fed with high-lipid diet and given balloon injury is possibly attributed to its action in inhibiting the expression of NADPH oxidase.