Investigation into the Properties of L-5-Methyltetrahydrofolate and Seal Oil as a Potential Atherosclerosis Intervention in Rats

Abstract

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease that leads to tissue ische- mia. As the biologically active form of folic acid, L-5-methyltetrahydrofolate (L-5-MTHF) can improve endothelial function. And Seal oil plays a beneficial role in the progression of atherosclerosis. The study aims to evaluate beneficial effects of L-5-MTHF alone or in com- bination with Seal oil on atherosclerosis. Seventy-two male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 6 groups: Control (normal diet), atherosclerosis (high-fat diet), folic acid (high- fat13 mg/kg folic acid), low-dose L-5-MTHF (high-fat13 mg/kg L-5-MTHF), low-dose L-5-MTHF1Seal oil (high-fat13 mg/kg L-5-MTHF10.5 g/kg Seal oil), high-dose L-5-MTHF (high-fat110 mg/kg L-5-MTHF). After 13 wk, rats were sacrificed. Rats exhibiting athero- sclerosis had dyslipidemia and serious aortic lesions. Supplementation with low-dose L-5-MTHF1Seal oil or use of high-dose L-5-MTHF increased serum folate concentrations, decreased homocysteine levels, improved the serum lipid profile, up-regulated expression of NO and NOS, enhancement of the antioxidant properties of GSH-Px activity and reduction in the concentration of MDA, levels of Olr1 and RelA mRNA decreased in aortic tissues, and expression of inflammatory factors, TNF-a, IL-6, IL-1b and endothelial cell injury factors ET-1 and sICAM-1, were also down-regulated. In addition, HD-L-5-MTHF increased the antioxidant activity of serum SOD. We conclude that L-5-MTHF has obvious anti-inflam- matory and antioxidant effects on diseased blood vessels. The intervention of L-5-MTHF alone or in combination with Seal oil can improve atherosclerosis in rats and reduce the occurrence of aortic lesions. The anti-atherosclerotic mechanism may be related to down-regulation of Olr1 and RelA expression.