Changes associated with dietary beetroot extract on diet-induced damage in the common carotid artery of the albino rat (<i>Rattus norvegicus</i>)

The high-fat high-fructose diet (HFHFr) has become widespread globally corresponding to a rise in obesity and cardiovascular diseases. Traditionally, these diseases were managed by multiple-drug regimens whose adherence was limited by side effects, hence leading to consideration of natural compounds. Recent studies have exploited the phytochemical properties of numerous plant extracts in ameliorating the histological changes seen in common carotid artery (CCA) damage, however, hardly any studies have investigated the effect of beetroot extract. The CCA were obtained from a biobank of a study that induced HFHFr in 45 male rats. Rats in the control group had received standard rat chow and water, and the positive control group received HFHFr. Those in the experimental group received HFHFr and 200mg/kg beetroot extract. These rats were randomly selected, euthanized and perfused on weeks 4,8,10 and 16. Their CCA were harvested, processed and stereological techniques applied to determine the densities of different histological components of the CCA.The HFHFr fed experimental animals revealed medial vascular thickening with a resultant increase in carotid intima-media thickness, increased vascular smooth muscle density, reduced elastic fiber density, and increased collagen fiber density compared to controls. Beetroot coadministration was protective against most of these structural changes. Dietary administration of beetroot extract has been found to be ameliorative to structural changes on the CCA following administration of HFHFr. Therefore, dietary beetroot extract may be indicated to mitigate harmful changes following long term exposure to a high fat high fructose diet.