4-hydroxycinnamate lowers plasma and hepatic lipids without changing antioxidant enzyme activities

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of 4-hydroxycinnamate (4-(OH)-C) supplement on the lipid metabolism and antioxidant system of rats fed a high-cholesterol diet.

Three groups of rats were given a diet containing 1 g cholesterol/kg for 6 weeks. The control group only received a high cholesterol diet, whereas the other two groups received a diet including lovastatin or 4-(OH)-C (0.1 g/100 g).

The plasma total cholesterol concentration was significantly lowered by the 4-(OH)-C supplement, whereas the HDL-cholesterol level was higher in this group. The 4-(OH)-C supplement significantly lowered the hepatic cholesterol and triglycerides levels, respectively. Accumulation of hepatic lipid droplet was the highest in control group; however, it was decreased by supplementation of the 4-(OH)-C and the lovastatin. The hepatic HMG-CoA reductase activities were not significantly different between the groups, whereas the ACAT activity was significantly lowered in the lovastatin group. The 4-(OH)-C significantly lowered the hepatic TBARS content. And it did not alter the neutral sterol and total fecal sterol, however, the fecal acidic sterol was higher in the lovastatin and the 4-(OH)-C groups than in the control group.

These results indicate that 4-(OH)-C was effective in lowering the plasma cholesterol and hepatic lipids.