EFFECT OF TOCOTRIENOL ON AORTIC ATHEROSCLEROSIS IN DIABETIC MICE

Effect of Tocotrienol

Abstract

Objective: To study the histomorphological effect of tocotrienol on aortic atherosclerosis in diabetic mice having high fat diet.

Study Design: Lab based randomized controlled trial.

Place and Duration of Study: Army Medical College, Rawalpindi and National Institute of Health, Islamabad from November 2009 to June 2010.

Material and Methods: Forty five female BALB/c mice were randomly divided into three groups. The diabetic mice model was established by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ) 40 mg/kg body weight. Group A was given normal laboratory diet, group B high fat diet and group C was given tocotrienol along with high fat diet for 32 weeks. At the end of experiment the mice were sacrificed. The hearts of animals were dissected out and ascending aortae were taken out. The specimen was fixed in 10% formol calcium and processed for paraffin embedding. Five micrometer thick sections were made for haematoxylin and eosin, and Verhoeff’s staining. After staining, histomorphologic changes in slides were noted.

Results: In contrast to group A, atheroscelrosis developed in groups B and C. Statistically significant atherosclerotic changes were found in the aortae of diabetic mice in group B when compared to group A. On comparison of group A to C, atherosclerotic changes were statistically insignificant. However when group B was compared with group C, the aortic atherosclerotic changes decreased significantly in group C.

Conclusion: In diabetics with high fat diet intake, there is an increase in development of atherosclerosis in aorta which can be reduced by tocotrienol.