Cardio-Protective Effect of Apocynin in High Fat Diet Induced Hyperlipidaemia in Rats

This study investigated the therapeutic potential of apocynin in mitigating obesity-induced cardiovascular dysfunction. With cardiovascular disease mortality projected to reach 22.2 million by 2030 and obesity recognized as a significant predisposing factor, the research addressed the limited scientific knowledge regarding apocynin's specific effects on cardiovascular health in obese subjects. Twenty-five Wistar rats were randomly assigned into 5 groups. The study utilized 25 Wistar rats, which were randomly distributed into five groups: a normal control, an apocynin-only group, a high-fat diet-induced obese group, an obese group treated with apocynin (50 mg/kg), and an obese group treated with glibenclamide (5 mg/kg). The experimental regimen lasted for 21 days, animals were allowed free access to water and feed. Results obtained revealed significant (p<0.05) increase in body weight of the obese group, which was reduced by apocynin administration. The serum lipids concentrations (mmol/L) in the control group were TC (1.50 ±0.02), TG (0.55 ±0.01), HDL-c (1.70 ±0.01), LDL-c (0.43 ±0.02) and VLDL-c (0.24 ±0.02), with atherogenic index of -0.10 ±0.02. TC, TG, LDL-c, VLDL-c and atherogenic index were significantly (p<0.01) raised, while HDL-c was significantly (p<0.01) reduced in the obese group compared with control. Treatment with Apocynin or glibenclamide reversed the changes near control values. The control group had troponin concentration of 67.00 ±2.10 pg/mL, CK-MB (11.00 ±0.41 IU/L), LDH (1466.00 ±18.00 IU/L), ACE (17.00 ±0.20 IU/L) and heme oxygenase (1.60 ±0.10 IU/L) of controls. These were significantly (p<0.01) raised in the obese group compared with the controls, but NO was significantly (p<0.05) lower in obese group compared with control (22.00 ±1.60 µmol/L). Total bilirubin, interleukin-6, C-reactive peptide, tissue necrotic factor-alpha, and malondialdehyde concentrations were significantly (p<0.01) raised, while total antioxidant capacity was significantly (p<0.01) lower in obese group compared with control. The administration of apocynin, similar to glibenclamide, effectively reversed these changes, to values comparable to the control group. In conclusion, oral apocynin attenuates the cardiovascular risks associated with obesity, likely through its potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-dyslipidemic actions.