Consumption of oil macerated with garlic produces renovascular protective effects in adult apolipoprotein E-deficient mice

CAROLINA TORRES; VIRNA MARTÍN GIMENÉZ; LUCIANA MAZZEI; MATILDE DE PAOLA; ISABEL QUESADA; DARÍO CUELLO-CARRIÓN; MIGUEL FORNÉS; ALEJANDRA CAMARGO; CLAUDIA CASTRO; WALTER MANUCHA

Food & Function

Cambridge : Royal Society of Chemistry

Año: 2022 vol. 13 p. 8131 - 8142

2042-6496

Oxidative stress and chronic inflammatory conditions contribute as key determinants in the development of vascular and renal diseases. Organosulfur compounds (OSCs) of oil macerated with garlic (OMG) are promissory phytochemicals which could protect from the hyper-inflammation and oxidative stress-induced organ damage. The present work evaluated the effect of OMG intake in apolipoprotein E-knockout (ApoE-KO) mice. Adult female ApoE-KO mice were randomly divided into three groups and fed with: control chow, oil-supplemented diet and OMG-supplemented diet. After 8 weeks, animals were euthanized and blood, aorta, kidney, liver and abdominal adipose tissues were obtained for further analysis. Biochemical parameters were measured in plasma, lipid peroxidation as malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were determined in adipose tissue, Oil red O were used to stain atherosclerotic lesions, and histological and ultrastructure analyses in kidney were performed. Renal expression of Tumor Necrosis Factor α (TNF-α), Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and Wilms´ Tumor Protein (WT-1) were determined by western blot as well as co-immunoprecipitation assay (p53/WT-1). Also, a transmission electron microscope associated with the expression of mitofusin 2 (Mfn-2) was used to assess mitochondrial damage. The results showed that long-term moderate intake of OMG improved serum triglyceride levels, diminished atheroma plaque area, and reduced lipid peroxidation. Furthermore, we found a decrease in oxidative and inflammatory markers, less apoptosis and reduced WT-1 expression in kidney. Also, OMG increased p53/WT-1 protein interactions and reduced mitochondrial damage. Our findings suggest that OMG intake would produce anti-atherosclerotic, antifibrotic, anti-inflammatory and antiapoptotic effects in adult ApoE-KO mice, conferring significant renovascular protective actions in a mechanism mediated, at least in part, by WT-1.