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Citrullus lanatus 'sentinel' (watermelon) extract reduces atherosclerosis in LDL receptor-deficient mice.
- Source :
-
The Journal of nutritional biochemistry [J Nutr Biochem] 2013 May; Vol. 24 (5), pp. 882-6. Date of Electronic Publication: 2012 Aug 16. - Publication Year :
- 2013
-
Abstract
- Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus or C. lanatus) has many potentially bioactive compounds including citrulline, which may influence atherosclerosis. In this study, we determined the effects of C. lanatus, provided as an extract of the cultivar 'sentinel,' on hypercholesterolemia-induced atherosclerosis in mice. Male low-density lipoprotein receptor-deficient mice at 8 weeks old were given either C. lanatus 'sentinel' extract (2% vol/vol; n=10) or a mixture of matching carbohydrates (2% vol/vol; n=8) as the control in drinking water while being fed a saturated fat-enriched diet for 12 weeks ad libitum. Mice consuming C. lanatus 'sentinel' extract had significantly increased plasma citrulline concentrations. Systolic blood pressure was comparable between the two groups. Consumption of C. lanatus 'sentinel' extract led to lower body weight and fat mass without influencing lean mass. There were no differences in food and water intake and in urine output between the two groups. C. lanatus 'sentinel' extract administration decreased plasma cholesterol concentrations that were attributed to reductions of intermediate-/low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Plasma concentrations of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and interferon-gamma were decreased and those of interleukin-10 were increased in mice consuming C. lanatus 'sentinel' extract. Intake of C. lanatus 'sentinel' extract resulted in reductions of atherosclerosis in both aortic arch and thoracic regions. In conclusion, consumption of C. lanatus 'sentinel' extract led to reduced body weight gain, decreased plasma cholesterol concentrations, improved homeostasis of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, and attenuated development of atherosclerosis without affecting systolic blood pressure in hypercholesterolemic mice.<br /> (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)
- Subjects :
- Animals
Aorta, Thoracic drug effects
Aorta, Thoracic metabolism
Atherosclerosis etiology
Blood Pressure drug effects
Body Weight
Chemokine CCL2 blood
Chemokine CCL2 genetics
Cholesterol, LDL blood
Citrulline blood
Hypercholesterolemia complications
Hypercholesterolemia drug therapy
Interferon-gamma blood
Interleukin-10 blood
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Male
Mice
Mice, Knockout
Atherosclerosis drug therapy
Citrullus chemistry
Plant Extracts pharmacology
Receptors, LDL deficiency
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1873-4847
- Volume :
- 24
- Issue :
- 5
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- The Journal of nutritional biochemistry
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 22902326
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnutbio.2012.05.011