Vitamin E slows the progression of hypercholesterolemia-induced oxidative stress in heart, liver and kidney

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Kailash Prasad1, Erick D McNair, A Mabood Qureshi

  • 1Department of Physiology, College of medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5E5, Canada. k.prasad@usask.ca

Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry
|June 21, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Vitamin E reduces oxidative stress in the heart, liver, and kidney caused by high cholesterol. This effect is linked to the duration of hypercholesterolemia, with the heart being most susceptible.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Cardiovascular Biology
  • Nephrology

Background:

  • Hypercholesterolemia is a known risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
  • Oxidative stress plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of hypercholesterolemia-related organ damage.
  • The impact of hypercholesterolemia on oxidative stress in multiple organs and the potential protective effects of vitamin E require further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the levels of oxidative stress in the heart, liver, and kidney of rabbits with hypercholesterolemia.
  • To determine if the observed oxidative stress is dependent on the duration of hypercholesterolemia.
  • To evaluate the efficacy of vitamin E in mitigating hypercholesterolemia-induced oxidative stress in these organs.

Main Methods:

  • Rabbits were fed a cholesterol-rich diet for varying durations, with one group receiving vitamin E supplementation.
  • Total cholesterol levels were measured in blood samples.
  • Oxidative stress markers, including malondialdehyde (MDA) and chemiluminescence (CL), were assessed in heart, liver, and kidney tissues.

Main Results:

  • Hypercholesterolemia significantly increased malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in the heart, liver, and kidney, with the heart showing the most substantial increase.
  • The elevation in MDA levels was positively correlated with the duration of the cholesterol-rich diet.
  • Vitamin E supplementation reduced MDA levels in all investigated organs without affecting total cholesterol levels.

Conclusions:

  • Hypercholesterolemia induces significant oxidative stress in the heart, liver, and kidney, with varying susceptibility among organs.
  • The progression of oxidative stress is directly related to the duration of hypercholesterolemia.
  • Vitamin E effectively attenuates the development of oxidative stress in these organs, highlighting its potential therapeutic role.

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