Biochemical indicators of blood of guinea pigs with atherosclerosis against the background of application of herbal preparations “Cardiofil” and “Phytochol”

Abstract

Cardiovascular disease is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States and in many developing countries. Atherosclerosis is the most common cause of many cardiovascular diseases.  It occurs by the deposition of lipids and cholesterol on the inner lining of the blood vessels, which leads to plaque formation and narrowing of the lumen. It is considered that oxidation of LDL plays a significant role in the progression of atherosclerosis. Certain studies have shown that antioxidants can delay the progression of atherosclerosis. Currently therapeutic and prophylactic herbal products are widely applied. These products affect the body comprehensively because it includes biologically active substances, macro and microelements, vitamins. “Cardiofil” and “Phytochol” are such therapeutic and prophylactic means. To determine the hypolipidemic, antisclerotic and overall impact of the “Cardiofil” and “Phytochol” to guinea pigs is the purpose of the work. Two groups (control and experimental) of 5 laboratory animals(guinea pigs) each one with an average body weight of 500 g and 1 year old  were formed to carry out the experiment. All animals were kept and fed in the same way. The animals were quarantined before the experiment. Healthy guinea pigs, with good appetite and average locomotor activity were selected for the experiment. Atherosclerosis and hyperlipidemia in animals of the control and experimental groups were simulated by applications of 2 ml of a mixture that contains cholesterol and fats (lard oil and preheated sunflower oil in a ratio of 4: 1), at the cholesterol rate of  0.5 g / kg body weight, which was given to the guinea pigs for 7 days before the experiment began(every day, 30 minutes before feeding). The animals of the experimental group were given “Cardiofil” - 5 drops 3 times a day and “Phytochol” 1 drop with a small amount of water once a day for 30 days. Animals were monitored throughout the experiment, taking into account general clinical and physiological parameters. Blood was taken for examination of biochemical parameters. Animals were withdrawn from the experiment by decapitation under gas anesthesia on the 30th day of the experiment after a 12–14 hour starvation. Blood was taken from the tail vein into 5 ml tubes with a dispensing gel and a Vacusera coagulation activator to determine the biochemical parameters of blood in the guinea pigs. Blood tests were carried out using a “Stat Fax 1904+” semiautomatic biochemical analyzer using “SpineLab” reagent kits from Kharkiv, Ukraine. It was found that impaired lipoprotein metabolism for atherosclerosis was manifested by a more pronounced increase of the body weight of the control group, which in turn could lead to an increase in blood pressure, disturbances of the rhythm of the heart muscle, and a decrease of stamina. Thus, the body weight of animals of the control group on the 30th day of the experiment increased by 2.8% and by 1.9% of the experimental group animals. The study has revealed an increase of serum triglyceride content in the blood of control group animals by 1.3 times compared with the animals of the experimental group. The content of total cholesterol in the serum of the guinea pigs of the experimental group, which were given “Cardiofil” and “Phytochol” was lower by 1.8 times compared with the control group. Higher levels of HDL and LDL were found in serum of animals of the control group respectively 1.4 and 1.43 times compared with the animals of the experimental group. The atherogenic index is 1.2 times higher in the control group. Higher activity of AlAT, AsAT and creatine phosphokinase in serum of guinea pigs of the control group was found respectively in 1,2, 1,6 and 1,8 times compared with the experimental group animals. Increase of urea content by 1.06 times and  decrease of total protein and creatinine content, respectively 1.1 and 0.9-fold in the serum of the control group guinea pigs, compared with the experimental group animals. The glucose content of the serum of the control group animals was 1.1-fold higher, compared to the experimental group guinea pigs. Thus, according to the obtained data, the beginning and development of atherosclerosis in guinea pigs may be influenced by diets containing both high fat and high cholesterol. The use of herbal preparations “Cardiophil” and “Fitochol” for atherosclerosis in guinea pigs exhibits their lipid-lowering and anti-sclerotic properties.