Effects Of Micronutrient Complex On Rat Lipid Metabolism

Hyperlipidemia is the major risk factor for atherosclerosis which seriously harms human health. The results from animal experiments and epidemiological studies suggest that increasing the intake of antioxidant nutrients, such as Vitamin E (VE), Vitamin C (VC) and selenium, can be beneficial in the prevention of atherosclerosis. VE is the most important lipid-soluble antioxidant in the body. VE can scavenge oxygen free radicals and defend cellular membrane polyunsaturated fat acids against peroxidation by oxygen free radicals. VC is an important water-soluble antioxidant in the body. VC can scavenge oxygen free radicals and regenerateα-tocopherol from α-tocopheroxyl radical. VC can also lower the level of blood LDL and increase that of blood HDL.VC plays a role in cholesterol metabolism by promoting hydroxylation reaction, thus enhance excretion of cholesterol. VC can increase the number of LDL receptors on cells by which cells increase the intake of LDL thus lower the level of blood cholesterol. Selenium is an essential part of glutathione peroxidase which can eliminate lipid peroxides. Selenium can also influence TXA2/PGI2 balance. Selenium deficiency can decrease the synthesis of PGI2 and increase the synthesis of TXA2. Magnesium can lower the level of blood LDL and increase that of blood HDL. Magnesium can also promote the vasodilation of coronary artery and thus increase the blood flow of it.In the present study, we investigated the effects of micronutrient selenium, VE, VC and magnesium on blood lipids, TXA2, PGI2, NO. We also examined the effect of micronutrient selenium, VE, VC and magnesium on the expression of eNOS and CD36 in rat aorta. The result showed that:(1) the levels of blood TG, TC, HDL-C, LDL-C, PGI2, TXA2 in high fat diet rats significantly increasedcompared with normal diet rats; the level of blood NO in high fat diet rats significantly decreased compared with normal diet rats; the expression of eNOS and CD36 in rat aorta increased in high fat diet rats compared with normal diet rats. (2) The supplementation of micronutrient complex selenium, VE, VC and magnesium decreased the levels of blood TG, TC, LDL-C, PGI2, TXA2, and lower the ratio of TXA2/ PGI2, and increased the levels of HDL-C, NO. (3) The supplementation of micronutrient complex selenium, VE, VC and magnesium decreased the expression of eNOS and CD36 in rat aorta.The results above suggest that micronutrient complex selenium, VE, VC and magnesium can effectively lower blood lipid and the ratio of TXA2/ PGI2, increase eNOS activity, and inhibit the expression of CD36 in rat aorta. Thus micronutrient complex selenium, VE, VC and magnesium may be beneficial in the prevention of AS.