Abstract:

Objective    To evaluate oxidative and anti-atherosclerotic effects of grape seed proanthocyanidin extract(GSPE) in rabbits by detecting malondialdehyde(MDA) and oxidized low-density-lipoprotein-cholesterol(oxLDL).  Methods    24 male New Zealand rabbits were randomized into three groups (control, model  and GSPE group), with 8 rabbits in each group. Blood samples were drawn from the middle arteries of rabbits′ ear at different time points, i.e. before the experiment, the fourth, the eighth, and the twelfth weekend of the experiment. Blood samples were analyzed for oxLDL and MDA with ELISA method. Aorta were excised and observed  morphologically through HE staining and electron microscope.  Results    At the 12th weekend, the serum oxLDL and MDA  increased significantly in model group than control group (54.26±5.33)mg/L vs (24.48±3.13)mg/L, (7.49±0.53)μmol/L vs (3.08±0.13)μmol/L; all P﹤0.01). In GSPE group, oxLDL and MDA were (45.46±4.01)mg/L and (6.90±0.59)μmol/L, respectively(P﹤0.01). Morphologically, the progress of atherosclerosis was obviously alleviated by GSPE while GSPE group was better than model group.  Conclusion    GSPE has  antioxidative effect in rabbits and it can alleviates the development of atherosclerosis significantly by inhibiting the formation of oxLDL.

Key words: Grape seed proanthocyanidin extract; Atherosclerosis; Oxidative; Oxidative low density lipoprotein cholesterol; Rabbit