The Effect of Hydroxytyrosol (HXT) and Local Olive Oil (LOO) on Lipid Profile and Histopathological Changes in The Heart as Outcome of Induced Hyperlipidemia in Male Rats

Abstract

Background: Hydroxytyrozole is a polyphenol found in olive oil with antioxidant activity. It may be with a protective role against oxidative stress.

Aim: To investigate the role of both Local olive oil (LOO) and Hydroxytyrosol (HXT) in controlling the lipid profile and histopathological changes of the heart in male albino rats with experimental hyperlipidemia and comparison of their effect with atorvastatin.

Materials and methods: In this study 30 males from white rats were used. They were divided into 6 groups with close weights. The first group (control group) was given a standard diet and the second group (cholesterol group) was given a diet containing 2% cholesterol throughout the eight-week trial period, while the third, fourth, fifth and sixth groups were given a high-cholesterol diet for two weeks and then gavages with LOO only, HXT only, LOO + HXT and ATOR respectively for six weeks while continuing on the diet rich in cholesterol.

Results:  There was a significant increase (P<0.05) in the level of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C) and atherogenic index (AI). While there was a significant decrease (P<0.05≥) in the level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), As well as many of the imbalances histopathological in the heart, included the presence of fibrosis (F), coronary vessels thickening (CoVT), and myocardial fibers hypertrophy (MFH) in a moderate ratio with inflammatory infiltration (II) and hemolysis (He) between myocardial fibers degeneration (MFD) at a low ratio and disintegrates (DIS) cardiac muscle fiber by high rate in the treated group compared to the healthy control group. While the groups of treated animals that were gavage with LOO, HXT, LOO + HXT, and ATOR showed positive improvement in all the above variables, LOO + HXT surpassed all treatments.

Conclusion: Current results suggest that the synergistic effect of HXT with LOO may enhance the antioxidant system and thus reduce the negative effects of hyperlipidemia