Exogenous (Pomegranate Juice) or Endogenous (Paraoxonase1) Antioxidants Decrease Triacylglycerol Accumulation in...

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Cardiovascular Research
• Nutritional Science

Background:

• Pomegranate juice (PJ) and paraoxonase1 (PON1) are known antioxidants with potential cardiovascular benefits.
• Their impact on lipid and oxidation status in various cardiovascular disease (CVD)-related tissues is largely unexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of PJ and recombinant PON1 (rePON1) on serum, aorta, heart, liver, kidney, and adipose tissues in mice.
• To assess changes in oxidation markers and lipid profiles following PJ consumption or rePON1 administration.

Main Methods:

• Mice were treated with either PJ or rePON1.
• Serum, aorta, heart, liver, kidney, visceral adipose tissue (VAT), and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) were analyzed for lipid peroxidation (thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances), cholesterol, triacylglycerols (TAG), and thiol groups.
• Gene expression of diacylglycerol O-acyltransferase 1 (DGAT1) was assessed.
• Ex vivo incubation of SAT with treated mouse serum was performed.

Main Results:

• Both PJ and rePON1 reduced serum TAG and lipid oxidation markers.
• rePON1 increased serum thiol groups and decreased cholesterol.
• Both treatments significantly lowered aortic cholesterol and TAG, with downregulation of DGAT1.
• PJ and rePON1 demonstrated substantial TAG-lowering effects in the heart, liver, and kidney.
• rePON1 reduced lipid peroxides in VAT and SAT, while PJ decreased TAG content in these tissues.
• Ex vivo experiments showed reduced lipid peroxides and TAG in SAT incubated with serum from treated mice.

Conclusions:

• PJ and rePON1 exhibit potent triacylglycerol (TAG)-lowering effects in multiple tissues relevant to cardiovascular disease (CVD).
• These findings highlight the atheroprotective potential of both exogenous (PJ) and endogenous (PON1) antioxidants.
• The study provides novel insights into the tissue-specific lipid-modulating actions of PJ and PON1.