ACTA ENDOCRINOLOGICA (BUC)

Background. Trigonella foenum graecum L. (Fenugreek, FG) is used in many countries as a medicinal plant. Evidence has suggested the hypolipidemic effect of Fenugreek; however, its actual mechanism has not been determined yet. Objectives. The purpose of our research was to investigate the effect of Fenugreek on lipid profile, liver histology and LDL receptor gene expression in male hamsters fed with high cholesterol diet. Methods. These animals were given normal diet (ND), high cholesterol diet (HCD: 2% cholesterol and 0.5% cholic acid added to ND), HCD supplemented with 2g and 8g fenugreek per 100g ND (HCD+FG2 and HCD+FG8) respectively for four weeks. At the end of treatment, serum lipids, lipoproteins and liver enzymes were measured. Finally, LDL receptor (LDLR) gene expression was determined in the liver of the studied animals using Real Time-PCR method and liver histological changes were evaluated by H&E staining method. Results. A significant reduction was observed in serum triglyceride (p<0.01), total cholesterol, low and very low density cholesterol, aspartate and alanine transaminases in HCD+FG8 group (p<0.05) compared with HCD group, while serum level of HDL-c (p<0.01) increased. In addition, LDLR gene expression in HCD+FG8 group increased 7.8 folds. The results confirm the protection effect of liver tissue in HCD+FG8 group against pathological changes. There was no significant change in LDLR gene expression in HCD+FG2 group. In conclusion, fenugreek ameliorated dyslipidemia by up-regulation of LDLR gene expression and can be used as a protective agent against hypercholesterolemia.

Background. Glycogen synthase kinase.3β (GSK.3β) has an important role in several signaling pathway including Wnt signaling pathway. Recent evidence has shown that this pathway is involved in follicle development, ovulation and Corpus luteum formation. Aim. In this study we have investigated the effect of LiCl (as a GSK.3β inhibitor) on the ovulation and corpus luteum formation in rat. Materials and methods. Immature 23-day female rats were injected with PMSG (15 IU) to induce follicular development, followed 48h later by HCG (15IU) to induce ovulation. To inhibit GSK3β activity 250 mg/kg LiCl were administerted at the time of LiCl injection. The ovaries were removed at 1,4,8,12,24 h after LiCl treatment and prepared for histological studies. Results. Our results show that the number of preovulatory follicle in LiCl treatment rats was not increased compared with control group. The number of corpus luteum blood vessels were decreased in comparison with control group (p<0.05). Conclusions. These findings show that although LiCl does not inhibit ovulation, it disrupts blood vessel formation in the corpus luteum.