The effects of verjuice consumption on risk factors of profile lipid and development of atherosclerosis in hypercholesterolemic rabbits

Nowadays, the role of anitioxidants in improvement and development of atherosclerosis has been demonstrated. In this study, we have investigated the effects of verjuice intake on risk factors of profile lipid and development of atherosclerosis in hypercholesterolemic rabbits. Thirty two male New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into four groups: normal diet group, a diet containing 1 % cholesterol, a diet containing 1 % cholesterol with 5ml verjuice, and a diet containing 1 % cholesterol with 10ml verjuice. The glucose, total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), apolipoprotein A(ApoA),apolipoprotein B(ApoB), serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT), serum glutamic oxaloacetate transaminase (SGOT), HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C and antioxidative capacity were measured before the experiment and by the end period(2months). At the end of the study, fatty streak formation in aorta artery was determined in all groups. Using verjuice daily (5 and 10 ml) caused significant increase in antioxidative capacity and HDL-C in comparison with hypercholesterolemic diet. Both doses of verjuice significantly decrease in hepatic of transaminase (SGPT, SGOT), glucose and ApoB. Using 10 ml verjuice caused significant reduce TG in comparison with hypercholesterolemic diet.No significant difference was found between verjuice taking groups and hypercholesterolemic diet group in TC and ApoA. Histological results showed that administration of verjuice significantly lowered atherosclerotic lesion in aorta artery in comparison with hypercholesterolemic diet. The results of this study suggest that there might be a protective effect of verjuice consumption on some of the risk factors of atherosclerosis particularly as an antioxidant.