White tea reduces dyslipidemia, inflammation, and oxidative stress in the aortic arch in a model of atherosclerosis induced by atherogenic diet in apoe knockout mice

Abstract

Objective: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the potential effects of white tea (WT) in the atherosclerosis process characterized by oxidative stress, inflammation, and dyslipidemia. Methods: In our study, apolipoprotein E knockout (ApoE−/−) mice (RRID: IMSR_JAX:002052) and C57BL/6J mice (RRID: IMSR_JAX:000664) were used. In the atherosclerosis model induced by an atherogenic diet (AD), WT was administered via oral gavage at two different concentrations. The animals were sacrificed by decapitation under anesthesia, and their serum and aortic tissues were collected. Total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interferon-γ, myeloperoxidase, paraoxonase-1, lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2, oxidized low-density lipoprotein (Ox-LDL), lectin-like oxidized LDL receptor (LOX-1), a disintegrin, and metalloprotease (ADAM) 10 and 17 activities were determined via colorimetric, enzyme-linked immunoassay, and fluorometric methods. Results: WT supplementation decreased serum Ox-LDL, LOX-1, TC, and TG levels by approximately 50%. TNF- and IL-6 levels were reduced by approximately 30% in the aortic arch. In addition, ADAM10/17 enzyme activities were found to be reduced by approximately 25%. However, no change in the AD-induced fibrotic cap structure was observed in the aortic root. Conclusions: The findings indicate that white tea effectively reduced oxidative stress, inflammation, and dyslipidemia in atherosclerosis but does not affect atheroma plaque morphology.