Abstract:

Objective To explore the effect of grape seed proanthocyanidin extracts (GSPE) on expression of aortic apolipoprotein A-Ⅰ(apoA-Ⅰ) in streptozotocin(STZ) induced diabetic rats. Methods Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into the control group (group C, n=10), the diabetic group (group DM, n=9) and the GSPE treatment diabetic group (group DM+GSPE, n=13). All animals were sacrificed after 24 weeks, and the aortas were excised about 1cm from the end, fixed in 10% formaldehyde, embedded in paraffin and cut into 4μm-thick sections for light microscopy. Then they were stained with hematoxylin-eosin under a light microscope at a magnification of 200×. In addition, difference gel electrophoresis technique was used to analyze the effect of GSPE on expression of aortic apoA-Ⅰ. Results In diabetic rats, hypertrophy and disarray of endothelial cells occurred, and proliferation of smooth muscle cells were observed in the aortic wall, and the internal elastic laminae were impaired. The lumina of the aorta became smaller. After treatment of GSPE, light microscopic findings were similar to those of the control rats. Expression of aortic apoA-Ⅰwas the lowest in the diabetic group（DM group/C group：-1.68）, but after treatment with GSPE, it was up-regulated（DM+GSPE group/DM group：1.77）. Conclusion GSPE can promote expression of aortic apoA-Ⅰ in diabetic rats, which may play a role in the angio-protective function of GSPE.

Key words: Grape seed proanthocyanidin extracts； Apolipoprotein A-Ⅰ； Rats, Wistar； aorta； Difference gel electrophoresis