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Published on: November 18, 2013
Zinc Regulates Lipid Metabolism and MMPs Expression in Lipid Disturbance Rabbits
Chenggui Xu1,2, Zhibin Huang1, Lijuan Liu1
1Department of Cardiology, First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China.
Abstract:
Lipid disturbance induced by high-fat diet is a worldwide problem, and it can induce inflammation and oxidative stress in vivo. Zinc is considered as an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory agent. Since matrix metalloprotease 2 (MMP2) and matrix metalloprotease 9 (MMP9)'s expressions are changed under many pathological conditions, we would like to know how zinc affects lipid metabolism and MMP2, MMP9's expressions in the lipid disturbance rabbits. Twenty-four male New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into four groups. Each group had six rabbits, and they were fed with regular diet, high-fat diet, high-fat diet+zinc, and regular diet+zinc separately for 12 weeks. High-fat diet induced lipid disturbance significantly which raised the level of aspartate aminotransferase (p<0.01) and alanine transaminase (p<0.05) in the high-fat diet group, but zinc supplement reversed this phenomenon (p<0.05). Zinc did not reduce total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (p>0.05), but it lowered triglyceride (TG) and raised high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (p<0.01). Zinc also reduced high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) (p<0.01) and interleukin-6 (IL-6)'s expressions (p<0.05). Zinc reduced the epicardial adipose tissue and alleviated the hepatic steatosis. Zinc suppressed MMP2 and MMP9's expressions in vivo, but it did not alleviate the aorta fatty streak's severity in the lipid disturbance rabbits. Zinc protected the liver, reduced TG, hs-CRP, and IL-6 and raised HDL-C in the lipid disturbance rabbits. Zinc suppressed MMP2 and MMP9's expressions in vivo, but it did not alleviate the severity of aorta fatty streak induced by the high-fat diet.
Insights
Zinc supplementation improved lipid profiles and reduced inflammation in rabbits with high-fat diet-induced lipid disturbance. While it didn't affect cholesterol levels, zinc lowered triglycerides, increased HDL-C, and suppressed MMP2 and MMP9 expressions.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Nutritional Science
- Cardiovascular Research
Background:
- High-fat diets induce lipid disturbance, inflammation, and oxidative stress.
- Zinc possesses antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
- Matrix metalloproteinases (MMP2 and MMP9) are implicated in various pathological conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of zinc supplementation on lipid metabolism in rabbits with diet-induced lipid disturbance.
- To examine the impact of zinc on MMP2 and MMP9 expressions in this model.
- To assess zinc's protective effects on liver and aorta.
Main Methods:
- Twenty-four rabbits were divided into four groups: regular diet, high-fat diet, high-fat diet + zinc, and regular diet + zinc.
- Diets were administered for 12 weeks.
- Lipid profiles, liver enzymes, inflammatory markers (hs-CRP, IL-6), MMP2/MMP9 expressions, and aorta fatty streak severity were analyzed.
Main Results:
- High-fat diet induced significant lipid disturbance, elevated liver enzymes, hs-CRP, and IL-6.
- Zinc supplementation reversed liver enzyme elevation, lowered triglycerides, and increased HDL-C.
- Zinc reduced hs-CRP and IL-6, decreased epicardial adipose tissue and hepatic steatosis, and suppressed MMP2/MMP9 expressions.
- Zinc did not reduce total cholesterol or LDL-C and did not alleviate aorta fatty streak severity.
Conclusions:
- Zinc supplementation offers protective effects against high-fat diet-induced liver damage and lipid disturbance in rabbits.
- Zinc effectively modulates triglyceride and HDL-C levels and reduces inflammation.
- Despite suppressing MMP2/MMP9, zinc does not ameliorate aorta fatty streak severity in this model.
