Fish polar lipids retard atherosclerosis in rabbits by down-regulating PAF biosynthesis and up-regulating PAF catabolism

Abstract

BackgroundPlatelet activating factor (PAF) has been proposed as a key factor and initial trigger in atherosclerosis. Recently, a modulation of PAF metabolism by bioactive food constituents has been suggested. In this study we investigated the effect of fish polar lipid consumption on PAF metabolism.ResultsThe specific activities of four PAF metabolic enzymes; in leukocytes, platelets and plasma, and PAF concentration; either in blood cells or plasma were determined. Samples were acquired at the beginning and at the end of a previously conducted study in male New Zealand white rabbits that were fed for 45 days with atherogenic diet supplemented (group-B, n = 6) or not (group-A, n = 6) with gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata) polar lipids.The specific activity of PAF-Acetylhydrolase (PAF-AH); a catabolic enzyme of PAF, was decreased in rabbits' platelets of both A and B groups and in rabbits' leukocytes of group A (p < 0.05). On the other hand the specific activity of Lipoprotein-associated Phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2); the catabolic enzyme of PAF in plasma was increased in both A and B groups in both leukocytes and platelets (p < 0.05). PAF-cholinephosphotransferase (PAF-CPT); a biosynthetic enzyme of PAF showed increased specific activity only in rabbits' leukocytes of group A (p < 0.05). Neither of the two groups showed any change in Lyso-PAF-acetyltransferase (Lyso-PAF-AT) specific activity (p > 0.05). Free and bound PAF levels increased in group A while decreased in group B (p < 0.05).ConclusionsGilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata) polar lipids modulate PAF metabolism upon atherosclerotic conditions in rabbits leading to lower PAF levels and activity in blood of rabbits with reduced early atherosclerotic lesions compared to control group.

Socio-economic dynamics and innovative technologies affecting health-related lipid content in diets: Implications on global food and nutrition security

“…These properties help in reducing atherosclerosis by inhibition of Platelet Activating Factor (PAF, 1-O-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine) responsible for sedimentation, clotting and blocking of coronary channels (Nasopoulou et al, 2011). This action is controlled by down-regulating PAF biosynthesis and upregulating PAF catabolism.…”

“…Fatty acids are classified as saturated (no double bond), monounsaturated; MUFA (one double bond) and poly-unsaturated; PUFA (more than one double bond) depending on the presence and number of double between carbon atoms. Other classes of fatty acids include trans-fatty acids and free fatty acids (Williams, 2000) and polar lipids, micro-and macro-constituents of the Mediterranean diet (Nasopoulou et al, 2011). Saturated fatty acid are either short-chain containing 4-12 carbon chains, mid-chain containing 13-16 carbon long chains and long-chain fatty acids of 17-26 carbon chains.…”

“…However, special groups of health-related fatty acids such as unsaturated fatty acids help in reducing blood cholesterol contents are anti-carcinogenic, anti-diabetic and improve immunomodulation (Simopoulos, 2003). In addition the inclusion of polar lipids has been identified as a potential alternative to general essential fatty acids (Nasopoulou, Tsoupras, Karantonis, Demopoulos, & Zabetakis, 2011). From a health point of view, it can be observed that the positives outweigh the negatives associated with fatty acid consumption, thus more wide scope studies are required as suggested in a commentary by Zabetakis, Antonopoulou, and Demopoulosm (2013).…”

Anti-platelet-activating factor, antibacterial, and antiradical activities of lipids extract from silver carp brain

“…For instance, PAF can be synthesized by being stimulated with Stap hylococcus aureus toxins or it can be released by Escherichia coli [10]. Given that PAF is an initial trigger in atherosclerosis [11], foodstuffs, which exert antibacterial activities, suppress the production of PAF, and therefore play a positive role in preventing atherosclerosis. Previous studies have demonstrated the lipids extracted from red shrimp brain, marine sponge, sea bass and gilthead sea bream exerted antibacterial activities [10,12,13].…”

PAF enhances MMP-2 production in rat aortic VSMCs via a β-arrestin2-dependent ERK signaling pathway

“…Furthermore, PAF is known to act as an initial trigger in atherosclerosis, and to play a critical role during disease progression (2, 3). The biological actions of PAF are regulated by a specific surface 7-transmembrane-domain receptor (7TMR), which couples to G proteins (4).…”