Chemical characteristics of an Ilex Kuding tea polysaccharide and its protective effects against high fructose-induced liver injury and vascular endothelial dysfunction in mice

Food Funct. 2017 Jul 19;8(7):2536-2547. doi: 10.1039/c7fo00490g.

Abstract

The present study was designed to investigate the protective effects of Ilex Kuding tea polysaccharides (IKTP) on high fructose (HF)-induced liver injury and vascular endothelial dysfunction in mice. IKTP were identified as acidic heteropolysaccharides by FT-IR and HPLC. Healthy male Kunming mice fed 20% fructose in drinking water for 8 consecutive weeks significantly displayed dyslipidemia, hepatic steatosis, oxidative stress and vascular endothelial dysfunction. However, continuous administration of IKTP at 200, 400 and 800 mg per kg bw in HF-fed mice could prevent the damage caused by HF-diets, especially at dosages of 400 and 800 mg per kg bw (p < 0.01). IKTP significantly reduced the HF-induced elevation of the serum TC, TG, LDL-C, TXA2 and ET-1 levels, as well as AST and ALT activities, while markedly increased the HF-induced decline of HDL-C, PGI2 and eNOS levels in the serum compared to HF-fed mice. Meanwhile, the hepatic MDA level was lowered while SOD and GSH-Px activities were increased in IKTP-treated mice, compared to HF-fed mice. Histopathology of the liver and cardiovascular aortic by H&E or oil red O staining confirmed the liver steatosis and the vascular injury induced by HF-diets and the protective effects of IKTP. These findings suggest that HF causes oxidative damage, and IKTP alleviates liver injury and vascular endothelial dysfunction.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Endothelium, Vascular / drug effects*
  • Endothelium, Vascular / metabolism
  • Fatty Liver / etiology
  • Fatty Liver / metabolism
  • Fatty Liver / prevention & control*
  • Fructose / adverse effects
  • Glutathione Peroxidase / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Ilex / chemistry*
  • Liver / drug effects
  • Liver / metabolism
  • Male
  • Malondialdehyde / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Oxidative Stress / drug effects
  • Plant Extracts / administration & dosage*
  • Polysaccharides / administration & dosage*
  • Superoxide Dismutase / metabolism
  • Vascular Diseases / etiology
  • Vascular Diseases / metabolism
  • Vascular Diseases / prevention & control*

Substances

  • Plant Extracts
  • Polysaccharides
  • Fructose
  • Malondialdehyde
  • Glutathione Peroxidase
  • Superoxide Dismutase