EFFECT OF Zuccagnia punctata EXTRACT IN AN HYPERCHOLESTEROLEMIC ASSOCIATED WITH INSULIN RESISTANCE RABBIT MODEL

VALOY, AGOSTINA; ALARCÓN, GABRIELA; ZAMPINI, CATIANA; ISLA, MARÍA INES; JEREZ, SUSANA

Jornada; XXXIX Jornadas Científicas de la Asociación de Biología de Tucumán; 2022

A flavonoid-rich Zuccagnia punctata (ZpE) extract has been found beneficial on hypercholesterolemia-induced alterations of lipid profile, oxidative status, and intima/media ratio. Objective: to determine the effect of ZpE on a rabbit model of hypercholesterolemia associated with insulin resistance. Methods: Male rabbits were separated into 6 groups fed: control diet, diet rich in fat at 18% and cholesterol 0.3% (MD), MD with oral administration of 2.5, 5 or 10 mg/day of ZpE and DM with oral administration of 2.5 mg/day of ezetimibe (intestinal cholesterol transporter inhibitor). After 6 weeks, total cholesterol (TC) and insulin sensitivity test were evaluated. Oxidative stress was determined by measuring thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in serum and liver. Morphohistological studies included determination of sudanophilic area and intima/media ratio of aortic arteries. Results: A-MD increased TC values and induced insulin resistance. Only treatment with ezetimibe normalized TC, but worsened insulin resistance. B-MD increased TBARS and treatment with ZpE and not with ezetimibe reached TBARS to CD values. C- Treatment with ZpE and ezetimibe improved MD-induced increase of sudanophilic area and intima/media ratio. Conclusion: ZpE failed to reduce TC values in this experimental model. Considering that insulin resistance is associated with increased synthesis and decreased absorption of cholesterol, this would be the reason for the lack of effect of ZpE. However, ZpE showed protective effects on blood vessels by preventing the formation of atherosclerotic plaque because of its antioxidant properties.