Decreased level of the anti-inflammatory adipokines, secreted frizzled-related protein 5 and adiponectin, in high cholesterol diet-induced atherosclerotic rats

Introduction: The involvement of secreted frizzled-related protein5 (SFRP5) and adiponectin, two important adipokines produced by adipocytes, in cardiovascular diseases demand further assessment. Therefore, in this study the relation of the adipokines and atherosclerosis was evaluated in Rat. Materials and methods: For the study, thirty male Wistar rats were divided into 2 groups (each group contain 15 rats): Control group, received a normal diet and the high cholesterol diet (HCD) group which received an additional 2% cholesterol and 0.5% cholic acid for 15 weeks. At the end of treatment, HCD-induced atheroma plaques were observed by hematoxylin and eosin staining of aortic tissue sections. Furthermore, serum levels of SFRP5 and adiponectin in the two groups of rats were measured by immunoassay and their relationships with the development of atherosclerotic plaques in the experimental group were analyzed. Results: The serum level of SFRP5 and adiponectin was significantly decreased in HCD rats compared with the control group (P<0.05).  There was also an inverse relation between the serum level of the two adipokines and atherosclerotic plaque formation (P<0.05).  Conclusion: Serum levels of SFRP5 and adiponectin are decreased in rats fed with high cholesterol diet, highlighting the involvement of the two adipokines in atherosclerosis.