Curcumin Modulates the Expression of PPARα, CPT1, and MCAD to Prevent Lipid Metabolism Alterations in the Hearts of Mice Fed with an HFD

Abstract

Background: the consumption of a high-fructose diet (HFD) contributes to obesity, dyslipidemia, and cardiovascular diseases. It has been proposed that curcumin modulates lipid metabolism and it has a potential beneficial effect in the context of the cardiometabolic diseases, although it has not been clearly demonstrated Objective: to evaluate the effect of curcumin on the expression of the PPARα, CPT1, MCAD, VLCAD, and ACAA2 genes in the hearts of mice fed with a HFD. k (F), and 4) standard diet + 0.75% (w/w) curcumin + 30% (w/v) fructose (F+Cur). The gain of body weight, glucose, and the overall serum cholesterol levels were measured after the respective treatment. The expression of PPARα, MCAD, VLCAD, ACAA2, and CPT1 was assessed by Western blot in mice hearts. Results: our data showed that a curcumin treatment induced a higher expression of PPARα and ACAA2 whereas it decreased CPT1 and MCAD expression in the hearts of mice fed with a HFD. However, it had no effect on VLCAD expression Conclusion: curcumin regulates PPARα, CPT1, and MCAD expression and increased that of ACAA2. This suggests a possible therapeutic use to prevent the alterations of mitochondrial fatty acid metabolism in the hearts of mice fed with a HFD.