Effects of protein extract from the housefly larvae (Musca domestica vicina) on the hyperlipidemic mice induced by Triton WR-1339

Abstract

Hypercholesterolemia is a chief risk reason for atherosclerosis. Triton-WR 1339 (Tyloxapol) was used by several investigators to initiate hypercholesterolemia in animals. Housefly maggots contain high larval protein extract (PE) that is used as an anti-atherosclerosis. The goal of the current study was to evaluate the possible protective effects of the PE of houseflies against Triton-WR 1339-induced hyperlipidemia, oxidative damage, and histopathological changes of the liver and dorsal aorta of male mice. In this study, four groups of experimental mice, including ten mice each, were classified into: Group I, mice were administered with 0.5 ml saline solution, and considered as a positive control; Group II, mice were administered day after day by gavage with 0.5 ml of 200 mg/kg bw PE; Group III, hyperlipidemic mice were taken no treatment till the end of experiment and Group IV, the hyperlipidemic mice were administered day after day by gavage with 200 mg/kg bw PE. On day 40, the mice were anesthetized, blood samples were collected, the livers and the aorta were dissected for various biochemical tests and histopathological examinations. The biochemical parameters, triglycerides (TGs), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) and lipid peroxidation (LPO) were increased, and reduction in high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), the total glutathione (GSH) and the glutathione peroxidase (GPx) levels were observed following Triton WR-1339 treatment in mice. After administration of the PE (200 mg/kg bw), the results revealed significant reduction in serum TC and TGs while HDL-C, oxidative stress levels in liver tissue, LPO, GSH and GPx were significantly increased. Histopathological examinations of the liver tissue and the aorta of mice showed alterations afterwards Triton WR-1339 administration. Treatment with 200 mg/kg bw PE showed beneficial effects with lower capsular thickening, enlargment of hepatocytes and much lower inflammatory cell infiltration.