[Study of anti-atherosclerosic effect of grape seed extract and its mechanism]

In order to observe the anti-atherosclerosic effect of the grape seed extract and its mechanism, the 50C57/6J mice are divided randomly into 5 group (normal control group, hyperlipidemia model group, low and high grape seed extract groups(0.2 mg/gBW, 0.6 mg/gBW), and drug control group(0.2 mg/gBW). After twenty-one weeks, plasma oxidized low density lipoprotein (OX-LDL), serum nitric oxide (NO) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) are measured and the form of aortic valves are observed pathologically. The results show that the levels of plasma OX-LDL, and ICAM-1 are significantly lower in grape seed extract group than those in model group while the levels of NO are higher in grape seed extract group than that in model group (P < 0.01). The thickness of aortic valves consisting of foam cell and endothelium hyperplasia in grape seed extract group is lighter than that of model group. The results indicate that the grape seed extract has inhibitary effect on atherosclerosis in C57BL/6J mice, and the possible mechanism may be related to inhibition of the increase of OX-LDL, and ICAM-1, reduction of the damage of vascular endothelium and protection of the function of vascular endothelium.