Anti-atherosclerotic effect of antioxidant and homocysteine lowering therapy in experimental atherosclerosis model

<b>Background:</b> We aimed to investigate the effect of antioxidant and homocysteine (Hcy)-reducing therapy on atherosclerosis in this study. We used folic acid and B12 as Hcy-reducing therapy.<br /> <b>Materials and methods:</b> A total of 32 male Wistar albino rats with an average weight of 200-300 grams were used in this study. After all the animals were sacrificed at the end of 4,5 months, blood samples were collected to analyze SOD, CAT, GLUT, GSH-PX, Hcy, TG, and total cholesterol.<br /> <b>Results:</b> In treated groups, antioxidant enzymes were determined at various levels. The changes of antioxidant enzymes showed that antioxidant vitamins decreased oxidative stress, as well as partly. This finding suggests that antioxidant vitamins might have slowed or perhaps stopped atherogenesis.<br /> <b>Conclusion:</b> Antioxidant vitamins are effective in preventing oxidative stress induced by hypercholesterolemia, but this beneficial effect has not been definitively proven in clinical study. Therefore, we need more primary and secondary prevention studies on this subject.