Effect of several dietary heterocyclic aromatic amine species on atherosclerosis, blood lipid profile and endothelial dysfunction in mice

Heterocyclic aromatic amines are formed during cooking process of high protein including food. In general, the health outcomes are investigated on cancer development while they are not considered enough on the basis of cardiovascular disease. In addition, there are no studies investigating the effects of exposure duration to heterocyclic aromatic amines on the development of atherosclerosis. Therefore, this study was planned to investigate the effects of short or long term exposure to heterocyclic aromatic amines via diet in terms of atherosclerosis and the basic mechanisms of cardiovascular diseases. C57Bl/6 origin (n=80, 3 weeks old, female) mice were fed with a high fat and cholesterol diet (%20,w/w coconut oil; %0,2 w/w cholesterol) for 21 weeks. Different types of heterocyclic amines containing high fat diets were administered either 3 or 10 weeks after randomisation to 8 groups (10 mg/kg bw PhIP, MeIQx or PhIP+MeIQx). At the end of dietary manipulation total cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL, VLDL, HDL, Apo A1 and Apo B leves determined in the plasma and liver; plasma ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 levels determined by a colorimetric/ELISA method; ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 protein levels determined by Western Blot analysis and expression levels determined by RT-qPCR analysis. The plasma and liver levels of total cholesterol, LDL, Apo A1 and Apo B were not affected by the type and exposure duration of heterocyclic amines. It was found that long-term (10 weeks) intake of heterocyclic aromatic amines decreased plasma triglyceride (p = 0,037) levels and increased liver HDL levels (p = 0,025) in rats receiving high fat and cholesterol diet. Compared with respectively for the short and long term intake of heteroscyclic amines; plasma HDL levels in PhIP groups were 0,284 ± 0,03 and 0,152 ± 0,01 mmol / L, in MeIQx groups were 0,204 ± 0,02 and 0,210 ± 0,01 mmol / L and in groups that receiving both types of heterocyclic amines together were 0,250±0,02 ve 0,216±0,01 mmol/L (p<0,05). There was no statictical difference in endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerotic plaque development between groups (p> 0,05). However, despite their potential positive health effects, it is important to limit dietary intake of heterocyclic amines when it is considered their negative health outcomes such as carcinogenic/mutagenic effects, oxidative stress and neurotoxicity.