Corvitin modulates the content of lipids in rat liver bile

Abstract

Quercetin (QUE) and its water-soluble form сorvitin are medicinally important members of the fla­vonoid family and the most prominent dietary antioxidants. Numerous pharmacological effects of quercetin include protection against diseases, such as atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, and cerebrovascular disea­ses. Corvitin modulates liver blood flow but its effects on liver lipid metabolism have not been understood. We investigated the influence of corvitin (2.5, 5, 10 mg/kg) on the formation and secretion of cholesterol (Chol), cholesterol esters (EChol), phospholipids (PLs), free fatty acids (FFAs), and triglycerides (TGs) into the bile. Secreted bile was collected during 2.5 h of the experiment. Lipid fractions of the bile were separated by thin-layer chromatography. We defined that administration of corvitin caused a significant (P < 0.05–0.001) increase in levels of all studied lipid components of bile. At a dose of 2.5 and 5 mg/kg corvitin increased bile content of Chol, PLs and FFAs,and at a dose of 10 mg/kg had the largest effect on the total production of EChol and TGs. We concluded that corvitin activates the liver lipids metabolism and processes of bile formation.

Keywords

• corvitin
• liver
• bile
• cholesterol
• cholesterol esters
• phospholipids
• free fatty acids
• triglycerides