Cinnamaldehyde exerts vasculoprotective effects in hypercholestrolemic rabbits

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Science
• Nutritional Science
• Pharmacology

Background:

• High-cholesterol diets (HCD) induce vascular damage, oxidative stress, and inflammation.
• Cinnamaldehyde (CIN), a common food flavor, has potential therapeutic properties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effects of cinnamaldehyde (CIN) on high-cholesterol diet (HCD)-induced vascular damage in rabbits.
• To investigate the mechanisms underlying CIN's potential vasculoprotective effects.

Main Methods:

• Rabbits were fed a standard or HCD, with or without CIN (10 mg/kg/day) for 4 weeks.
• Serum lipid profiles, aortic oxidative stress markers (MDA, NOx), inflammation markers (MPO), and vascular function were assessed.
• Aortic mRNA expression of CETP and MPO was analyzed.

Main Results:

• HCD significantly increased serum lipids (TC, TGs, LDL-C), aortic MDA, and MPO, while decreasing NOx and antioxidant activity.
• CIN administration reversed these HCD-induced changes, improving lipid profiles and reducing oxidative stress and inflammation.
• CIN improved aortic relaxation, decreased atherosclerotic lesion size, and reduced aortic CETP and MPO mRNA expression.

Conclusions:

• Cinnamaldehyde (CIN) mitigates high-cholesterol diet (HCD)-induced atherosclerosis in rabbits.
• CIN exerts protective effects through cholesterol-lowering, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activities.
• The vasculoprotective effects of CIN are not mediated via Nrf2-dependent pathways.