Effects of Fibersol-2 and citrus powder and their incorporation into milk powder on high-fat/cholesterol-induced atherosclerosis in ApoE−/− mice

The present study investigated the effects of Fibersol-2 and citrus powder and their incorporation into milk powder (MP) on atherosclerosis. Male ApoE −/− mice were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) containing 1.25 % cholesterol to induce atherosclerosis. In experiment 1, model mice received HFD with Fibersol-2 or Fibersol-2 plus citrus powder. In experiment 2, model mice received HFD with MP or MP containing Fibersol-2 and citrus powder. The doses of Fibersol-2 and citrus powder used are within feasible intake levels for human and have established safety profiles. Both treatments improved lipid profile impairment, ameliorated structural injury, and inhibited atherosclerosis lesion progression in aortic sinus. Furthermore, the treatments reduced CD68 and F4/80 positive cells and reduced vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 positive cells in aortic sinus. Thus, the combination of Fibersol-2 and citrus powder improved dyslipidemia and inhibited atherosclerosis progression in the ApoE −/− mice, which was further confirmed when incorporated into milk powder. • The combination of Fibersol-2 and citrus powder improved dyslipidemia. • Both treatments ameliorated structural damage to the aortic sinus. • Both treatments synergistically inhibited atherosclerosis progression. • The benefits were confirmed when incorporated into in milk powder.