Effects of natural compounds in lipid profile and metabolism in hepatocytes

Abstract

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is associated with elevated triglycerides (TG) and LDL levels and decreased HDL levels, a pattern also recognized as dyslipidemia. Although the molecular mechanisms underlying diabetic dyslipidemia are not completely understood, this lipoprotein pattern is associated with T2DM and increased risk of Cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Accumulation of fatty acids and lipid metabolites can inhibit insulin signaling pathway, leading to insulin resistant conditions. In a previous study, we reported the effect of Salvia officinalis tea in improving lipid profile in healthy female volunteers that constitute a risk to develop T2DM [1]. We also verified that the food constituents ursolic acid (UA) and luteolin-7-glucoside (L7G) had effects on plasma glucose and lipid profile improvement, whereas UA also showed increased liver glycogen deposition and plasma HDL levels [2]. The present study aims to characterize the effects of natural compounds in lipid profile and metabolism of rat hepatocytes. Studies are underway to evaluate the in vitro effect of these compounds in lipid synthesis and/or degradation.