Effects of Caffeic Acid Phenethyl Ester on Plasma Homocysteine, Asymmetric dimethylarginine, Nitric Oxide Levels in Rats Constituted Hyperthyroidism

Abstract

Thyroid hormones are important in regulating cardiac function and cardiovascular hemodynamic. Caffeic acid phenethyl ester
(CAPE) is an active component of honeybee propolis extracts and has been used in folk medicine for many years.
Design
The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of caffeic acid phenethyl ester on may be endothelial dysfunction in rats with
experimentally induced hyperthyroidism. This study is the first examining the effects of caffeic acid on these parameters.
Material and Method
We used fifty male Wistar albino rats in this study. The experimental animals were divided into five groups. The first group was
control group. The second group was placebo group. The third group received L-tiroxine, the fourth group received caffeic acid and
the fifth group received both caffeic acid and L-tiroxine. Plasma freeT3, freeT4, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and triglyceride
levels were measured by autoanalyzer. Plasma homocysteine levels were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography
(HPLC) with fluorescence detect. Plasma nitric oxide and asymmetric dimethylarginine concentrations were measured by ELISA.
Statistical analysis was performed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) test in SPSS 13.0 program.
Findings
Caffeic acid phenethyl ester, significantly decreased (p<0.001) free T3, free T4 and asymmetric dimethylarginine levels and
significantly increased (p<0.001) nitric oxide, homocysteine, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and triglycerid levels.
Result
In conclusion; CAPE may show a protective effect against endothelial damage by increasing plasma nitric oxide levels and
decreasing asymmetric dimethylarginine levels, in hyperthyroidism induced rats.