The preventive effect of activated charcoal on HDL levels and aorta histopathological profiles in hypercholesterol rat models

Abstract

Hypercholesterolemia is a condition which the cholesterol levels in the blood exceeds the normal value. The use of hypercholesterolemia drugs or synthetic drugs in a long term will cause severe side effects. Therefore, it is important to explore an alternative preventive agent of hypercholesterolemia derived from natural materials, such as activated charcoal. The activated charcoal can absorb substances thousands times of its own weight and might be an effective and non-toxic material. The research aimed to determine the preventive effect of activated charcoal towards HDL level and aorta’s histopathology. This experiment used 24 male rats in randomized design that were divided into six groups: negative control (1); positive control (2), and four groups of treatments with activated charcoal doses of 2.250 mg/kg BW (3), 4.950 mg/kg BW (4), 6.750 mg/kg BW (5) 4.950 mg/kg BW (6), respectively, for 14 days. Simultaneously, all groups were received high cholesterol diet except group 1 and group 6. High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) level was measured by the spectrophotometry method and the data of HDL were analyzed using One-Way ANOVA and followed by the Tukey test (p<0.05), while aorta’s histopathology were analyzed descriptively. Therapeutic dose of 4.950 mg/kg BW (group 4) showed the best dose in increasing HDL levels by 42% compared to positive control. Activated charcoal reduced the inflammation cells and the defect of aorta’s histopathology. Based on the results, activated charcoal prevents the decreasing of HDL level and a defect of aorta’s histopathology.

Activated Charcoal: A Novel Utility Product for Enhanced Animal Health and Production from Agricultural Wastes (Pig Dung and Palm Oil Wastes)

“…The significant differences noticed in the weights of the heart in relation to live weight of the supplemented group can be attributed to the lowering effect of AC on serum cholesterol levels which may be responsible for the increased activity and weights of the heart. Activated charcoal interferes with the entero-hepatic circulation of bile acid and cholesterol, thereby lowering serum cholesterol in cases of hypercholesterolemia [90,91]. In a related development, Shabani et al [92] and Dim et al [26] reported that plasma cholesterol levels were reduced in birds whose diets were supplemented with activated charcoal.…”

“…These reductions in serum cholesterol levels have elucidated the fact that activated charcoal could be useful in the treatment of hypercholesterolemia [90,91]. This is achieved by its interference on entero-hepatic circulation by binding to cholesterol and cholesterol-containing bile acids in the gut, thus preventing them from being absorbed [99].…”

“…This is achieved by its interference on entero-hepatic circulation by binding to cholesterol and cholesterol-containing bile acids in the gut, thus preventing them from being absorbed [99]. When bile acids are excreted, plasma cholesterol is converted to bile acids to normalize bile acids levels which eventually lowers plasma and serum cholesterol levels [90,91]. It should be recalled that approximately 2/3 of intestinal cholesterol is derived from bile while just about 1/3 comes from diet [91,99].…”

“…When bile acids are excreted, plasma cholesterol is converted to bile acids to normalize bile acids levels which eventually lowers plasma and serum cholesterol levels [90,91]. It should be recalled that approximately 2/3 of intestinal cholesterol is derived from bile while just about 1/3 comes from diet [91,99]. Hence the serum cholesterol is determined by the balance of its synthesis, catabolism and intestinal absorption [90].…”

“…Hence the serum cholesterol is determined by the balance of its synthesis, catabolism and intestinal absorption [90]. The most common statin based therapy for hypercholesterolemia acts by inhibiting the HMG-CoA reductase enzyme to reduce cholesterol synthesis while activated charcoals are useful in reducing the intestinal absorption [90,91]. Therefore, blocking intestinal absorption is a key point in hypercholesterolemia therapy.…”