Antihyperlipidemic potential of dietary supplementation with carnosine in high-fat diet-fed rats.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the hypolipidemic effects of carnosine and a commercial carnosine supplement on lipid status, liver and kidney function, and inflammation associated with dyslipidemia in rats with high-fat diet-induced hyperlipidemia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted on adult male Wistar rats, divided into control and experimental groups. Animals were kept in standard laboratory conditions and according to groups were treated with saline, carnosine, carnosine dietary supplement, simvastatin, and their combinations. All substances were prepared fresh every day and used by oral gavage. RESULTS: Treatment with a carnosine-based supplement significantly improved total and LDL cholesterol levels in serum, especially in the combination with simvastatin as a conventional drug in dyslipidemia treatment. The effect of carnosine on the metabolism of triglycerides was not as evident as in the case of cholesterol. Nevertheless, the values of the atherogenic index showed that the combinations of carnosine and carnosine supplement with simvastatin were the most effective in lowering this comprehensive lipid index. Dietary carnosine supplementation resulted also in anti-inflammatory effects, as demonstrated by immunohistochemical analyses. Besides, the good safety profile of carnosine in terms of its effect on liver and kidney functions was also confirmed. CONCLUSIONS: The use of carnosine supplements in preventing and/or treatment of metabolic disorders requires further investigations into the mechanisms of action and potential interactions with conventional therapy.

Tolerability and toxicity of lipidosterolic extract of American dwarf palm Serenoa repens in Wistar rats: well-known extract, new insight.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Serenoa repens extracts (SrE) have been used for centuries in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). According to recommendations that each product should be examined separately, including its tolerability and toxicity, we conducted this study in order to broaden the current cognition about tolerability and toxicity of SrE, in particular of German brand ProstamolunoR. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-four adult male Wistar rats were randomly distributed into 4 groups of 6 animals. The first control group (O) received water (1 ml/kgBW) and second control group (OO) received olive oil (1 ml/kgb.w.) every day for 30 days. The third and fourth group of rats (SR5 and SR10) were treated with SrE (150 and 300 mg/kgb.w. daily) dissolved in olive oil. Tolerability and toxicity of SrE were estimated on the basis of daily monitoring of behavior, body weight gain (BWG), relative weight of liver, left kidney, prostate and left testis, and values of general biochemical parameters. Total liver proteins (TLP) and glutathione content in hepatocyte suspension were also determined. RESULTS: BWG was significantly unchanged in SR5 and SR10 compared to both controls in all intervals of measurement and at the end of treatment (p > 0.05). LW/BW ratio was significantly higher in SR10 compared with O (p < 0.01). Creatinine and potassium were significantly higher in SR5 compared to O (p < 0.05), but in SR10 were significantly higher compared to both control groups (p < 0.01). TLP content was significantly higher in SR5 compared to OO (p < 0.01). The content of glutathione in homogeneous suspension of hepatocytes didn't alter significantly. CONCLUSIONS: Obtained results have expanded the current state of knowledge about the tolerability and toxicity of SrE, in particular of Prostamol-unoR. For the adoption of a more precise conclusion about its tolerability and toxicity, it should be excluded possible limiting factors that we identified in this study.