Effect of 3, 4-dihydroxyacetophenone on endothelial dysfunction in obese rats. (August 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hui, Zongguang; Zhou, Xuewei; Li, Rujiang
• Is Part Of: Pharmaceutical biology. Volume 53:Number 8(2015:Aug.)
• Page Start: 1149
• Page End: 1154
• Publication Date: 2015-08
• Subjects: Pharmacognosy -- Periodicals; Materia medica, Vegetable -- Periodicals; 615.321
• DOI: 10.3109/13880209.2014.962060
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1388-0209

Abstract

<abstract> <title>Abstract</title> <p> <italic>Context:</italic> 3, 4-Dihydroxyacetophenone (DHAP) has been reported to possess cardiovascular pharmacological effects.</p> <p> <italic>Objective:</italic> This study was designed to determine whether DHAP could improve endothelial function in obese rats.</p> <p> <italic>Materials and methods:</italic> Wistar rats were randomly divided into control, obesity, and DHAP groups and fed a normal, high-fat, and high-fat plus DHAP (10 mg kg<sup>−1</sup> d<sup>−1</sup>) diet, respectively, for 8 weeks. Endothelial-dependent vasodilatation was assessed. Endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) activity and nitric oxide (NO) production in endothelial cells were determined. Nuclear transcription factor kappa B (NF-κB) expression and superoxide production in aorta were evaluated.</p> <p> <italic>Results:</italic> DHAP treatment significantly decreased plasma triglycerides (0.94 ± 0.31 mmol/l versus 1.36 ± 0.29 mmol/l, <italic>p</italic> < 0.05) and free fatty acids (0.53 ± 0.15 mmol/l versus 0.99 ± 0.24 mmol/l, <italic>p</italic> < 0.05), reduced serum tumor necrosis factor α (35.56 ± 9.28 pg/ml versus 68.3 ± 10.24 pg/ml, <italic>p</italic> < 0.05) and malondialdehyde (2.94 ± 0.58 pg/ml versus 6.45 ± 0.70 pg/ml, <italic>p</italic> < 0.05), and increased serum adiponectin levels (164.5 ± 34.5 μg/l versus 84.5 ± 20.4 μg/l, <italic>p</italic> < 0.05). DHAP enhanced endothelial-dependent vasodilatation and improved endothelial function in obese rats (<italic>p</italic> < 0.05). eNOS activity and NO production in endothelial cells significantly decreased and NF-κB activation and superoxide production in aorta significantly increased in obese rats compared with the control group (<italic>p</italic> < 0.05). However, DHAP treatment significantly up-regulated the eNOS–NO pathway and decreased NF-κB activation and superoxide production (<italic>p</italic> < 0.05).</p> <p> <italic>Conclusion:</italic> DHAP improved endothelial function in obese rats. This beneficial effect may be associated with up-regulation of the eNOS–NO pathway by improving lipid metabolism and reducing oxidative stress and inflammation activity.</p> </abstract>