Abstracto

Hyperhomocysteinemia effects on histology and lipid content of aorta in male and female rabbit.

Othmani-Mecif K, Fernane A, Taghlit A, Yefsah A, Ghoul A, Benazzoug Y

Background: The aim of the study is to compare the effects of hyperhomocysteinemia induced by methionine overload on lipid parameters and structure of the aorta in both male and female rabbits. Materials and methods: Study is carried on 20 male rabbits (control, n=11 and experimented, n=9) and 16 female rabbits, control (n=8) and tested (n=8). Control models are fed standard diet, the Met females and males received standard diet supplemented with Met (500 mg/day) during 3 months. Results obtained from MetM and MetF are compared with those of the respective controls. The body weight is measured, the parameters, Hcy, total cholesterol, total lipids, TG, atherogenicity index ((VLDL+LDL)/ HDL) are determinate by appropriate methods (FPIA, colorimetry). In aorta tissue we assess the total lipids, TC and TG contents and realize a histological study (Masson's staining). Results and discussion: the Met-enriched diet causes a low increase of Hcy (p<0.05) in male, but a significant increase in female (p<0.0001). The TG raise in male (p<0.01) and diminish in female (p<0.01). Atherogenicity index augments from 1,31 to 1,52 in male and from 2,17 to 3,07 in female. At the aortic level, while in male rabbit the total lipid, TC and TG raise significantly (p<0.01), in female TL decrease but TC and TG increase (p<0.01). Aorta of Met female undergoes severe histological changes, such as endothelium hypertrophy, local rupture of the internal elastic lamina, remodelling of media with accumulation of collagens. The observations made in Met male are less important, but the elastic blades present irregular assemblies. Conclusion: Under Met overload, the female aorta tissue presents the most spectacular changes of biochemical as well as histological parameters.