A
coronary heart disease leads to increase in
obesity and metabolic dysfunction.
Protocatechuic acid (PCA), due to its
antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, neuro protective activities was found efficient as cardio-protective in
coronary heart disease. Our study investigated hypolipidemic and cardioprotective effects of
protocatechuic acid in the
coronary artery disease induced by high fat and
fructose diet (HFD) rat models. A diet rich in fat and
fructose was fed to male Wistar rats prior to the start of experimental procedures. Serum
lipid levels and hepatic
triglycerides (TG) and total
cholesterol (TC) levels were examined and analyzed. Both in vitro an in vivo pancreatic
lipase activity was determined as well. Histopathological examination was performed and their results were noted. Noteworthy reduction of serum
lipid levels and hepatic TG and TC levels was seen in groups treated with
simvastatin (SIM; 20 mg/kg) and PCA (50 and 100 mg/kg) in comparison to HFD groups. Pancreatic
lipase activity was reduced in the SIM group and the group treated with doses of PCA (50 and 100 mg/kg). A marked increase in gain in
body weight per week (P<0.05) was achieved in HFD group. Coronary risk index (CRI) and Atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) showed decreased index values
after treatments with SIM and PCA (50 and 100 mg/kg), respectively. Our findings confirmed the efficacious cardio-protective and hypolipidaemic activities of
protocatechuic acid in
coronary artery disease induced in rats with fat and
fructose rich diet.