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Foods enriched with insects can potentially prevent several health disorders, including cardiovascular diseases, by reducing inflammation and improving antioxidant status. In this study, Tenebrio molitor and Gryllus assimilis were selected to determine the effect on the development of atherosclerosis in ApoE/LDLR−/− mice. Animals were fed AIN-93G-based diets (control) with 10% Tenebrio molitor (TM) and 10% Gryllus assimilis (GA) for 8 weeks. The nutritional value as well as antioxidant activity of selected insects were determined. The lipid profile, liver enzyme activity, and the fatty acid composition of liver and adipose tissue of model mice were evaluated. Quantitative analysis of atherosclerotic lesions in the entire aorta was performed using the en face method, and for aortic roots, the cross-section method was used. The antioxidant status of the GA cricket was significantly higher compared to the TM larvae. The results showed that the area of atherosclerosis (en face method) was not significantly different between groups. Dietary GA reduced plaque formation in the aortic root; additionally, significant differences were observed in sections at 200 and 300 µm compared to other groups. Furthermore, liver enzyme ALT activity was lower in insect-fed groups compared to the control group. The finding suggests that a diet containing edible insect GA potentially prevents atherosclerotic plaque development in the aortic root, due to its high antioxidant activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-atherosclerotic effect of pomegranate seed oil as a source of conjugated linolenic acid (CLnA) (cis-9,trans-11,cis-13; punicic acid) compared to linolenic acid (LnA) and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) (cis-9,trans-11) in apoE/LDLR−/− mice. In the LONG experiment, 10-week old mice were fed for the 18 weeks. In the SHORT experiment, 18-week old mice were fed for the 10 weeks. Diets were supplied with seed oils equivalent to an amount of 0.5% of studied fatty acids. In the SHORT experiment, plasma TCh and LDL+VLDL cholesterol levels were significantly decreased in animals fed CLnA and CLA compared to the Control. The expression of PPARα in liver was four-fold increased in CLnA group in the SHORT experiment, and as a consequence the expression of its target gene ACO was three-fold increased, whereas the liver's expression of SREBP-1 and FAS were decreased in CLnA mice only in the LONG experiment. Punicic acid and CLA isomers were determined in the adipose tissue and liver in animals receiving pomegranate seed oil. In both experiments, there were no effects on the area of atherosclerotic plaque in aortic roots. However, in the SHORT experiment, the area of atherosclerosis in the entire aorta in the CLA group compared to CLnA and LnA was significantly decreased. In conclusion, CLnA improved the lipid profile and affected the lipid metabolism gene expression, but did not have the impact on the development of atherosclerotic plaque in apoE/LDLR−/− mice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of margarine supplemented with punicic acid ( cis-9, trans-11, cis-13 C18:3) (CLnA) compared to CLA and linolenic acid (LnA) in apoE/LDLR-/- mice in two independent experiments: LONG (18 weeks) and SHORT (10 weeks). Liver weight was increased in CLA group in both studies. Hepatic steatosis was found in animals fed CLA and margarine diets but less signs of the steatosis were observed in mice fed LnA and CLnA diets. In LONG, TC was significantly increased in animals fed LnA, whereas LDL + VLDL, HDL and TAG levels were unchanged. In mice fed CLnA the upregulated expression of PPARα and ACO was reported, however, SREBP-1 was 7-fold increased. Punicic acid and CLA isomers were determined both in adipose tissue and liver in CLnA fed mice. No effects of treatments on the area of atherosclerotic plaque were recognized. In conclusion margarine supplemented with CLA significantly increased liver weight and induced steatosis in mice in both studies. Our results did not support the notion that CLnA supplementation to the margarine possesses anti-atheroclerotic effect but it alleviated the liver steatosis and affected the expression of lipid metabolism genes. Practical applications: It has been reported that conjugated linolenic acid isomers (CLnA) have several health-related effects. Margarine with omega-3 fatty acids is commonly used as a functional food product. Therefore, the effect of margarine supplemented with CLnA compared to CLA and linolenic acid (LnA) in apoE/LDLR-/- mice was evaluated. CLA supplementation increased liver weight and lead to steatosis, but CLnA alleviated the liver steatosis in mice. No effects of treatments on the area of atherosclerotic plaque were recognized. The up-regulated expression of PPARα and SREBP-1 and their target genes ACO and FAS was reported for studied fatty acids. More research is warranted to assess the potential health-related properties of conjugated linolenic acids as bioactive compounds in the context of production of functional foods. Effect of margarine supplemented with pomegranate seed oil as a source of conjugated linolenic acid (CLnA) on development of atherosclerotic plaque, liver steatosis, lipid profile and expression of lipid metabolism genes in apoE/LDLR-/- mice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work the quantitative determination of atherosclerotic lesion area (ApoE/LDLR−/− mice) by FT-IR imaging is presented and validated by comparison with atherosclerotic lesion area determination by classic Oil Red O staining. Cluster analysis of FT-IR-based measurements in the 2800–3025 cm−1 range allowed for quantitative analysis of the atherosclerosis plaque area, the results of which were highly correlated with those of Oil Red O histological staining (R2 = 0.935). Moreover, a specific class obtained from a second cluster analysis of the aortic cross-section samples at different stages of disease progression (3, 4 and 6 months old) seemed to represent the macrophages (CD68) area within the atherosclerotic plaque. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Although in apoE/LDLR−/− mice atherosclerotic plaques develop spontaneously, various atherogenic diets (e.g. Western diet) are frequently used to accelerate the disease in this model. The objective of this study was to compare the effects on atherosclerosis of Western diet and other types of high-fat, high cholesterol, hypertriglyceridemic diets with the effects of the low carbohydrate, high protein (LCHP) diet. 16–18 week old mice with pre-established atherosclerosis were assigned to experimental groups and fed for the next 10 weeks with control diet, margarine diet (margarine 7%), hypertrigliceridemic diet (fructose 62%), high-fat diet (Western diet), high cholesterol diet (egg yolk diet) or with LCHP diet. No differences in body weight were observed among experimental groups. Plasma cholesterol concentration was significantly increased in egg yolk diet- and LCHP diet-fed apoE/LDLR−/− mice as compared to other types of diets. Plasma concentration of triacylglycerols was significantly elevated in egg yolk diet- and LCHP diet-fed apoE/LDLR−/− mice. The area of atherosclerotic plaques in the aortic root was substantially increased in LCHP diet-fed mice as compared to other types of diets. Furthermore, in brachiocephalic arteries of LCHP diet-fed mice there was evidence of plaque rupture. In conclusion, the LCHP diet promoted atherosclerosis in apoE/LDLR−/− mice more intensively than classical Western diet and favored the development of unstable lesions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In Poland, a high level of nitrate and nitrite in food and iodine deficiency have been observed in the last years. The effects of potential goitrogens, namely allylisothiocyanate (SCN-), nitrate (NO3-) and nitrite (NO2-) on growth performance, serum hormones (fT4, TSH) and thyroid morphology were investigated in rats. Simultaneously, the potential antigoitrogenic effects of iodine and selenium supplements were studied. In experiment 1, male Wistar rats of an initial body weight of 95 g were fed four experimental diets, based on AIN93G diet for rodents, with 0 or 2 µg iodine (KIO3) supplement per rat per day. The diets were: AIN-93G- control (C), AIN-93G + I (C+I), AIN-93G + SCN- (6 mg/100 g body weight) (SCN), AIN-93G + SCN- (6 mg/100 g body weight) + I (SCN+I), AIN-93G + NaNO3 (300 mg/100 g) (NO3), AIN-93G + NaNO3 (300 mg/100 g) + I (NO3+I), AIN-93G + NaNO2 (25 mg/100 g) (NO2) and AIN-93G + NaNO2 (25 mg/100 g) + I (NO2+I). The diets were fed to eight groups of rats (n=6) for 18 days. Feed intake was restricted to 15 g/day/rat. Body mass of rats was monitored weekly. On day 18, the rats were anaesthetised and their blood was drawn by cardiac puncture. The immulite rat TSH application kit was used to determine TSH concentrations in blood serum. Serum fT4 was determined according to the LIA method. The thyroid glands were excised and processed by the conventional paraffin technique. The growth of rats was not affected by the intake of goitrogens. Serum fT4 concentration tended to decrease by the treatments (C -- 24.6, SCN-19.8, NO3 -- 21.8 and NO2 -- 21.3 pmol/L). At the same time, serum TSH levels were significantly increased after administration of SCN (p<0.02) and NO2 (p<0.05). The histological examination of thyroid glands showed a series of morphological alterations (high follicular epithelial cells and reduced amount of colloid). On the other hand, the rats fed the experimental diets supplemented with iodine (C+I, SCN+I and NO3+I), showed no changes in the parameters studied, compared with the control animals. The only exception were the rats fed NO2+I diet, showing still morphological alterations in their thyroid glands. In experiment 2, male Wistar rats of an initial body weight of 120 g were fed five experimental diets, based on AIN93G rodent diet. The diets were: AIN93G (CON), AIN93G + Se, (Se), AIN-93G + NaNO2 (25 mg/100 g) (NaNO2), AIN-93G + NaNO2 (25 mg/100 g) + Se (NaNO2+Se), AIN-93G + NaNO2 (25 mg/100 g) + Se + I (NaNO2+Se+I). The diets were fed to five groups of rats (n=6) for 18 days. The feed intake was restricted to 15 g/ day/rat. Body mass of rats was monitored weekly. On day 18, the rats were anaesthetised. The thyroid glands were excised and processed by the conventional paraffin technique. The growth of rats was not affected by the dietary treatments. The histological examination of thyroid glands showed a series of morphological alterations in rats fed nitrite diet (NaNO2) and nitrite + selenium diet (NaNO2+Se), whereas in rats fed nitrite + selenium + iodine diet (NaNO2+Se+I), morphology of thyroid gland was similar to that of the control animals (CON). In conclusion, dietary allylisothiocyanate, nitrate and nitrite impair thyroid metabolism in rats and lead to thyroid hypertrophy. At the same time, the goitrogenic effects of allylisothiocyanate and nitrate can be alleviated by dietary iodine whereas the goitrogenic effects of nitrite can be alleviated only by concomitant dietary supplements of selenium and iodine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to evaluate potential anti-atherogenic properties of hen eggs enriched naturally with conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) isomers (cis-9, trans-11 and trans-10, cis-12). Eighteen apoE and LDL receptor double-knockout mice (apoE/LDLR− / − ), at the age of 4 months with pre-established atherosclerosis, were randomly assigned to three experimental groups (n 6) and fed AIN-93G-based diets for the next 2 months. The experimental diets were: AIN-93G+ CLA-free egg-yolk powder (control); AIN-93G+ CLA-free egg-yolk powder +0·1 % CLA (CLA-supplemented eggs); and AIN-93G+ CLA-enriched egg-yolk powder, providing 0·1 % CLA (CLA-enriched eggs). For assessment of anti-atherogenic properties of CLA-enriched or CLA-supplemented eggs the following criteria were used: (1) serum lipid profile; (2) development of atherosclerosis; and (3) composition of atherosclerotic plaque. CLA-enriched eggs, compared with CLA-supplemented eggs, reduced significantly (P < 0·05) total plasma cholesterol in the mice. At the same time, both CLA-supplemented eggs and CLA-enriched eggs tended to decrease the size of atherosclerotic plaque in aortic roots of mice. Most importantly, atherosclerotic plaques of mice fed CLA-enriched eggs showed significantly (P < 0·05) reduced number of atherogenic macrophages and increased area occupied by smooth muscle cells in atherosclerotic lesions. In conclusion, CLA-enriched eggs exerted an anti-inflammatory effect more effectively than CLA-supplemented eggs. This anti-inflammatory effect can be considered their major functional claim that warrants further exploitation. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Foods enriched with insects can potentially prevent several health disorders, including cardiovascular diseases, by reducing inflammation and improving antioxidant status. In this study, Tenebrio molitor and Gryllus assimilis were selected to determine the effect on the development of atherosclerosis in ApoE/LDLR -/- mice. Animals were fed AIN-93G-based diets (control) with 10% Tenebrio molitor (TM) and 10% Gryllus assimilis (GA) for 8 weeks. The nutritional value as well as antioxidant activity of selected insects were determined. The lipid profile, liver enzyme activity, and the fatty acid composition of liver and adipose tissue of model mice were evaluated. Quantitative analysis of atherosclerotic lesions in the entire aorta was performed using the en face method, and for aortic roots, the cross-section method was used. The antioxidant status of the GA cricket was significantly higher compared to the TM larvae. The results showed that the area of atherosclerosis ( en face method) was not significantly different between groups. Dietary GA reduced plaque formation in the aortic root; additionally, significant differences were observed in sections at 200 and 300 µm compared to other groups. Furthermore, liver enzyme ALT activity was lower in insect-fed groups compared to the control group. The finding suggests that a diet containing edible insect GA potentially prevents atherosclerotic plaque development in the aortic root, due to its high antioxidant activity.

Background: Nutritional recommendations emphasize the need to limit consumption of saturated fatty acids and to increase the intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids in the prevention of non-communicable chronic diseases, particularly cardiovascular diseases. Among the fatty acids with health-related effects on the body, conjugated fatty acids are mentioned (i.e. CLA)., Objective: The current study was designed to determine the effects of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) on serum lipid profile, glucose, liver enzymes activity (AST and ALT), malonic dialdehyde (MDA) as well as lipid hydroperoxide (LPO) concentrations in rats fed diet differing in type of dietary fat., Material and Methods: Male Wistar rats were divided into six groups and fed the following diets: control AIN-93G diet contained soybean oil (O) and diets with modification of fat source: butter (B) and margarine (M). The experimental diets were supplemented with 1% of conjugated linoleic acid (O+CLA, B+CLA, M+CLA). After 21 days the blood was collected and lipid profile, glucose, liver enzymes, MDA as well as LPO were analyzed., Results: The dietary treatments had no significant effect on the body weight and liver weight of the animals. The concentrations of total cholesterol (TC) and LDL+VLDL cholesterol were unchanged. Both experimental factors (fat source and CLA) had a significant influence on the TAG and HDL levels. Margarine (M) significantly increased the TAG concentration, whereas CLA had a significant impact on the TAG reduction (M+CLA). Glucose level was significantly decreased in all groups fed diets supplemented with CLA. Serum ALT significantly increased in all CLA groups. Fat source had statistically significant influence on the MDA concentration. The LPO level was significantly elevated in all CLA groups. There was statistically significant interaction of experimental factors (fat source and CLA supplementation) on LPO level., Conclusions: Margarine had an adverse effect on the rat’s lipid profile. However, in the group fed with margarine, the addition of CLA decreased the concentration of TAG. Regardless of the type of the dietary fat, CLA supplementation increased the level of LPO in the blood serum of animals., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest