Anticoagulant properties of a sulfated galactan preparation from a marine green alga, Codium cylindricum

An anticoagulant was isolated from a marine green alga, Codium cylindricum. The anticoagulant was composed mainly of galactose with a small amount of glucose, and was highly sulfated (13.1% as SO Na). The anticoagulant properties of the purified anticoagulant were compared with that of heparin by assays of activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), prothrombin time (PT) and thrombin time (TT) using normal human plasma. The anticoagulant showed similar activities with heparin, however, weaker than heparin. On the other hand, the anticoagulant did not affect PT even at the concentration at which APTT and TT were strongly prolonged. The anticoagulant did not potentiate antithrombin III (AT III) and heparin cofactor II (HC II), thus the anticoagulant mechanism would be different from that of other anticoagulants isolated so far from the genus Codium.     

Stabilization of mitochondrial and microsomal function by polysaccharide of Ulva lactuca on D-Galactosamine induced hepatitis in rats

In this study we used liver mitochondrial and microsomal fraction from rats pretreated with seaweed Ulva lactuca polysaccharide extract (ULP - 200 mg/kg body weight, daily for 21 days, oral gavage) on D-Galactosamine (500 mg/kg body weight, intraperitoneally) challenge. Effectiveness of ULP was determined based on functional status of trichloro acetic acid (TCA), urea cycle, and microsomal enzymes. The composition of sulfate polysaccharide content such as total sugars, sulfate and uronic acid were examined. In addition the fine ultra structural changes were examined using electron microscopy (EM). We observed significant (p < 0.001) mitochondrial and microsomal abnormalities during liver damage by D-Galactosamine, consequently altering enzymes of energy metabolism. Electron microscopy of D-Galactosamine intoxicated rat liver tissue revealed the swelling and loss of mitochondrial cristae. Conversely the rats pretreated with ULP against D-Galactosamine challenge prevented (p < 0.05) the significant abnormality of TCA, microsomal enzymes and severity of mitochondria as observed in EM study in rats injected with D-Galactosamine alone. However no effective prevention was observed in urea cycle enzymes among D-Galactosamine and treatment group rats. These results showed the effectiveness of ULP in stabilizing the functional status of mitochondrial and microsomal membrane which might be due to the presence of sulfated polysaccharide that could prevented the oxidative stress induced by D-Galactosamine intoxication.     

Immunomodulating polysaccharides from the lichen Thamnolia vermicularis var. subuliformis

Three heteroglycans Ths-4, Ths-5 and thamnolan and a beta-glucan, Ths-2, isolated from the lichen Thamnolia vermicularis var. subuliformis were tested for in vitro immunomodulating activities and shown to have various influences on the immune system. All the polysaccharides except Ths-4 caused a stimulation of rat spleen cell proliferation. In contrast, Ths-4 caused cell death early in the culture, probably due to over-stimulation. Moreover, the galactofuranomannans, Ths-4, Ths-5 and the beta-glucan Ths-2, induced rat spleen cells to secrete IL-10 significantly above background levels. In addition, Ths-4 and Ths-5 stimulated significant TNF-alpha secretion by rat peritoneal macrophages. The galactofuranomannans Ths-4 and Ths-5 have similar structures apart from the molecular weight. Thus, it may be concluded that the molecular size might influence the potency but not the pattern of activity for Ths-4 and Ths-5. The galactofuranorhamnan thamnolan had less mitogenic effect than Ths-5 and Ths-2 and neither induced IL-10 secretion by rat spleen cells nor TNF-alpha secretion by peritoneal macrophages to significant levels. This shows that thamnolan with its unusual galactofuranorhamnan structure differs from the other Thamnolia polysaccharides in its immunomodulatory activity.     

Heparinoid-active two sulfated polysaccharides isolated from marine green algae Monostroma nitidum

Two sulfated polysaccharides WF1 and WF3 were isolated from marine green algae Monostroma nitidum, and their structural characteristics were determined. Anticoagulant activities of WF1 and WF3 were evaluated by assays of the activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), thrombin time (TT), prothrombin time (PT), antithrombin and anticoagulation factor Xa activities. The results showed that WF1 and WF3 had similar high contents of rhamnose, whereas their sulfate contents, sulfation positions, molecular sizes and linkage patterns of rhamnose residues were different. The bioassay results demonstrated that WF1 and WF3 had high anticoagulant activities, and were potent thrombin inhibitors mediated by heparin cofactor II, especially WF3. They also hastened thrombin and coagulation factor Xa inhibition by potentiating antithrombin III, but at a lower effectiveness. The differences of anticoagulant activities between WF1 and WF3 were directly due to their structural features discrepancy.     

Synergistic hepatoprotective effect of Schisandrae lignans with Astragalus polysaccharides on chronic liver injury in rats

The aim of this study was to investigate the synergistic hepatoprotective effect of lignans from Fructus Schisandrae chinensis (LFS) with Astragalus polysaccharides (APS) on chronic liver injury in male Sprague-Dawley rats. Subcutaneous injection of 10% CCl₄ twice a week for 3 months resulted in significantly (p<0.001) elevated serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), asparate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities compared to controls. In the liver, significantly elevated levels (p<0.001) of malondialdehyde (MDA), lowered levels of reduced glutathione (GSH) (p<0.05) and catalase (CAT) (p<0.001), superoxide dismutase (SOD) (p<0.01)were observed following CCl₄ administration. ‘LFS+ASP’ treatment of rats at doses of ‘LFS (45 mg/kg)+APS (150 mg/kg)’ and ‘LFS (135 mg/kg)+APS (450 mg/kg)’ displayed hepatoprotective and antioxidative effects than the administration of either LFS or APS, as evident by lower (p<0.005 or 0.001) levels of serum ALT, AST, ALP and hepatic MDA (p<0.001) concentration, as well as higher SOD (p<0.05 or 0.005), CAT activities(p<0.01 or 0.005), GSH concentration (p<0.05 or 0.005) compared to the toxin treated group. Histopathological examinations revealed severe fatty degeneration in the toxin group, and mild damage in groups treated with ‘LFS+APS’ were observed. The coefficients drug interaction (CDI) between each individual drug and their combination (at the same dose of their single treatment) of these foregoing parameters were all less than 1, indicating that LFS and APS display hepatoprotective and antioxidant properties and act in a synergistic manner in CCl₄ induced liver injury in rats.     

Changes in antioxidant defense status in hypercholesterolemic rats treated with Ajuga iva

The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of aqueous extract of Ajuga iva (Ai) on serum and tissues lipid peroxidation as well as antioxidant enzymes activities in red blood cells (RBC) and tissues, in high hypercholesterolemic rats (HC). Male Wistar rats (n=12) were fed on 1% cholesterol-enriched diet for 15 d. After this adaptation phase, hypercholesterolemic rats (total cholesterol=6.5±0.6 mol/l) were divided into two groups fed the same diet and treated or not with Ai for 15 d. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) concentrations in serum, LDL-HDL₁, HDL₂ and HDL₃ were respectively, 5-, 7.8-, 2.3- and 5-fold lower in Ai treated than untreated hypercholesterolemic groups. TBARS concentrations were 1.4-fold lower in heart and 2.8-fold higher in kidney in Ai-HC treated than untreated HC group. Superoxide dismutase activity was respectively, 1.2- and 1.4-fold higher in RBC and muscle in Ai treated than untreated group. In RBC, Ajuga iva treatment enhanced glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) (+9%) and glutathione reductase (GSSH-Red) (+12%) in Ai-HC treated than untreated HC group. GSSH-Red activity was 1.4- and 1.5-fold higher in adipose tissue and heart, respectively and 3.7-fold lower in kidney in Ai treated than untreated group. Liver catalase activity was 1.6-fold higher in Ai treated than untreated group. Adipose tissue and muscle total glutathione content represented in Ai treated group 35% and 36% of the value noted in untreated group. Nitric oxide values of liver, adipose tissue and heart were 3.3-, 2.5- and 3.4-fold higher in Ai-HC than HC group. Ajuga iva treatment enhanced α-tocopherol contents (+25%) in Ai treated than untreated group. In conclusion, Ajuga iva treatment is more effective to improve the antioxidant capacity of RBC than that of tissues. Indeed, Ai is able to reduce the oxidative stress in hypercholesterolemic rats by increasing the antioxidant enzymes activity.     

Antioxidant acitivity in vitro and in vivo of the capsule polysaccharides from Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus

Crude capsule polysaccharides (CCP) were prepared from the culture of Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus C55129 and were partially purified through an anion-exchange column chromatography to afford partially purified capsule polysaccharides (PCP). The main component of CCP and PCP was hyaluronic acid. In vitro antioxidant assay, the capsule polysaccharides showed strong inhibition of lipid peroxidation and hydroxyl radical scavenging activity and moderate 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryldydrazyl radical scavenging activity. In addition, CCP exhibited much stronger reductive power than PCP. For antioxidant testing in vivo, CCP and PCP were orally administrated over a period of 15 days in a d-galactose induced aged mice model. As results, administration of capsule polysaccharides inhibited significantly the formation of malondialdehyde in mice livers and serums and raised the activities of antioxidant enzymes and total antioxidant capacity in a dose-dependent manner. However, the antioxidant activity of CCP was lower than that of PCP. The results suggest that the capsule polysaccharides from Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus C55129 have direct and potent antioxidant activities.     

Cadmium-induced changes in antioxidant enzymes from the marine alga Nannochloropsis oculata

Cadmium-induced oxidative stress symptoms such as lipid peroxidation and H₂O₂ production were examined in the marine alga Nannochloropsis oculata. Changes in antioxidant enzyme levels and isozyme patterns were also examined. Increasing concentrations of Cd produced growth inhibition. Among the responses to added Cd, the H₂O₂ content and malonyldialdehyde accumulation increased significantly, indicating a state of oxidative stress. In the case of ascorbate peroxidase activity the increase was about 2.5 times and a marked induction of the isozyme APX2 contributed to this increase. Guaiacol peroxidase activity increased about 4-fold, this being due mainly to the isozyme GPX3. Catalase activity increased slightly, whereas superoxide dismutase and glutathione reductase activity decreased markedly. Alterations of antioxidant enzyme levels and isozyme pattern changes in Cd-treated alga suggest that they might be involved in the heavy metal tolerance in this alga.     

灰树花活性多糖构效关系研究进展

灰树花是一种珍贵的食药用菌,具有降血糖、抗肿瘤、免疫调节和抗病毒等多种生物活性。灰树花多糖是其主要的活性成分,多糖的生物活性与多糖的结构密切相关。本文综述了从20世纪80年代起国内外已报道的灰树花活性多糖的结构表征。部分研究认为多糖的降血糖活性可能与β-1,6-葡聚糖主链化学结构相关,而灰树花多糖结构为β-1,6主链或β-1,3主链葡聚糖时具有较好的抗肿瘤活性。然而多糖结构异常复杂,精细结构的解析困难,导致目前灰树花多糖结构表征一般止步于单糖组成、分子量、糖苷键类型、分支结构和粗略分子链构象,但二维核磁(two dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance,2D-NMR)和高分辨质谱联用等技术的发展将有助于解开灰树花多糖构效关系,并为灰树花活性多糖的开发利用提供理论依据。     

The effect of seasonality on oxidative metabolism in Nacella (Patinigera) magellanica

We studied the seasonal variation on aerobic metabolism and the response of oxidative stress parameters in the digestive glands of the subpolar limpet Nacella (P.) magellanica. Sampling was carried out from July (winter) 2002 to July 2003 in Beagle Channel, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina. Whole animal respiration rates increased in early spring as the animals spawned and remained elevated throughout summer and fall (winter: 0.09 ± 0.02 μmol O₂ h^− 1 g^− 1; summer: 0.31 ± 0.06 μmol O₂ h^− 1 g^− 1). Oxidative stress was assessed at the hydrophilic level as the ascorbyl radical content / ascorbate content ratio (A / AH⁻). The A / AH⁻ ratio showed minimum values in winter (3.7 ± 0.2 10^− 5 AU) and increased in summer (18 ± 5 10^− 5 AU). A similar pattern was observed for lipid radical content (122 ± 29 pmol mg^− 1 fresh mass [FW] in winter and 314 ± 45 pmol mg^− 1 FW in summer), iron content (0.99 ± 0.07 and 2.7 ± 0.6 nmol mg^− 1 FW in winter and summer, respectively) and catalase activity (2.9 ± 0.2 and 7 ± 1 U mg^− 1 FW in winter and summer, respectively). Since nitrogen derived radicals are thought to be critically involved in oxidative metabolism in cells, nitric oxide content was measured and a significant difference in the content of the Fe–MGD–NO adduct in digestive glands from winter and summer animals was observed. Together, the data indicate that both oxygen and nitrogen radical generation rates in N. (P.) magellanica are strongly dependent on season.     

Protective effect of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides on oxidative damage in skeletal muscle of exhaustive exercise rats

The aim of this study was to determine the modulatory effect of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBP) on the oxidative stress induced by an exhaustive exercise. 32 male Wistar rats were taken in the study. The experiment was a 30-day exhaustive exercise program. We determined the lipid peroxidation, glycogen levels, and anti-oxidant enzyme activities in skeletal muscle. The results demonstrated that L. barbarum polysaccharides administration significantly increases glycogen level and anti-oxidant enzyme activities, and decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) level and creatine kinase activities. In conclusion, L. barbarum polysaccharides administration can significantly decrease the oxidative stress induced by the exhaustive exercise.     

香鳞毛蕨DfGNOM基因的克隆及其表达分析

GNOM是一种ADP核糖基化因子(ARF)的鸟嘌呤核苷酸交换因子(GEF),为探索GNOM在香鳞毛蕨(Dryopteris fragrans)中的抗逆功能,该研究克隆了DfGNOM并进行生物信息学分析,采用实时荧光定量PCR(qRT-PCR)方法分析了DfGNOM基因在不同植物激素及逆境胁迫处理下的表达模式,为进一步探索该基因的功能以及香鳞毛蕨的抗逆机制奠定基础。结果表明:(1)成功获得DfGNOM全长4 338 bp,蛋白质多序列比对以及进化树分析表明,DfGNOM与江南卷柏(Selaginella moellendorffii) SmGNOM亲缘较近,motif分析表明该蛋白含有sec7保守结构域。(2) qRT-PCR分析显示,DfGNOM在香鳞毛蕨的根、叶柄和叶中均有表达,但在叶中表达量最高;DfGNOM的相对表达量在生长素(IAA)处理后总体上调,在脱落酸(ABA)处理后总体下调;在NaCl处理下呈"降-升-降"的变化趋势,高温和低温处理下呈"升-降-升"变化趋势;在茉莉酸甲酯(MeJA)、乙烯利(ETH)以及PEG处理下,DfGNOM的相对表达也表现出不同的模式。研究认为,DfGNOM在香鳞毛蕨非生物胁迫响应过程中发挥调控作用。     

甘菊ClHSP70与ClHSP90基因的克隆及表达分析

该研究以甘菊(Chrysanthemum lavandulifolium)为实验材料,通过RT-PCR方法从甘菊转录组数据中分离出热激蛋白合成相关基因,命名为ClHSP70和ClHSP90。序列分析表明,ClHSP70基因ORF全长为2 559bp,编码852个氨基酸,蛋白功能区预测表明含有典型的HSP70蛋白NBD和SBD保守结构域;ClHSP90基因ORF全长为2 094bp,编码697个氨基酸,含有HATPase结构域和HSP90保守结构域。生物信息学分析表明,甘菊ClHSP70与大豆(Glycine max)和烟草(Nicotiana tomentosiformis)HSP70蛋白有较高的一致性,ClHSP90基因编码的氨基酸序列与紫茎泽兰(Ageratina adenophora)HSP90高度相似;实时荧光定量表达分析表明,在42℃处理不同时间,甘菊叶片中ClHSP70和ClHSP90基因表达均在0.5h时显著增加,1h达到最大值,2h后缓慢下降;不同组织表达分析表明,甘菊在42℃处理1h后,ClHSP70在成熟叶中的表达量显著高于嫩叶和根等其他组织;ClHSP90在成熟茎中的表达量最高。研究说明,ClHSP70和ClHSP90基因具有热激蛋白特征,参与了甘菊热胁迫应答过程,该研究结果为以后深入研究其基因功能奠定了基础。     

Butea monosperma and chemomodulation: Protective role against thioacetamide-mediated hepatic alterations in Wistar rats

The present study was carried out to study the effect of Butea monosperma, a known liver acting drug on the tumor promotion related events of carcinogenesis in rat liver. Thioacetamide (TAA) was used to induce tumor promotion response and oxidative stress and caused significant depletion in the detoxification and antioxidant enzyme armory with concomitant elevation in malondialdehyde (MDA) formation, hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) generation, ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity and unscheduled DNA synthesis. However, B. monosperma pretreatment at two different doses restored the levels of the above-said parameters (p < 0.001) in a dose-dependent manner. The alcoholic extract of B. monosperma used in the present study seems to offer dose-dependent protection and maintain the structural integrity of hepatic cells. This was evident from the significant reduction in TAA-induced serum GOT, GPT, Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and gamma-Glutamyl transpeptidase activity (GGT) activities (p < 0.001). These investigations validate the use of B. monosperma in liver disorders by Ayurvedic physicians. Overall results indicate that the methanolic extract of B. monosperma possesses hepatoprotective effects and also it might suppress the promotion stage via inhibition of oxidative stress and polyamine biosynthetic pathway.     

Characterisation of cell wall polysaccharides, arabinogalactans-proteins (AGPs) and phenolics of Cola nitida, Cola acuminata and Garcinia kola seeds

Many Cola plant species are endemic to West and Central Africa. Cola acuminata and Cola nitida are used as masticatory when fresh, while the dried nuts are used for beverages and pharmaceutical purposes in Europe and North America. Garcinia kola seeds, that serve as a substitute for the true kola nuts, are used in African traditional medicine for the treatment of various diseases, including colic, headache and liver cirrhosis. Seeds extracts of G. kola are also known for their anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antiviral properties. To gain information on the chemical properties of the kolas, we have isolated and analyzed cell wall polysaccharides, arabinogalactan-proteins and phenolic substances from the seeds of the three kola species. The sugar composition of cell wall material of C. acuminata, C. nitida and G. kola revealed that Gal (up to 30%), Ara, GalA and Glc as the predominant monosaccharides, representing approximately 90% by mol of the total hydrolysable sugar present in this material. In Ammonium oxalate cell wall fraction, GalA was found to be the major sugar present in all kola species. In the alkali-soluble fraction, there were significant differences in the level of Glc and Gal. The level of Glc was high in C. acuminata and C. nitida while the level of Gal and Xyl were high in C. nitida and G. cola. Isolation and quantification of arabinogalactan-proteins demonstrate that G. kola seeds contained four to eight times more of these proteoglycans than the seeds of the other two species. Finally, analysis of soluble phenolic substances shows that caffeine and catechin were largely represented in C. acumina and C. nitida seeds, with caffeine accounting for 50% of all soluble phenolics. These findings indicate that the three Kola seeds are highly enriched in pectins and proteoglycans and that C. acuminata and C. nitida can be used as a possible source of caffeine and catechin.     

Diet and physiological responses of Spondyliosoma cantharus (Linnaeus, 1758) to the Caulerpa racemosa var. cylindracea invasion

Marine invasions are a worldwide problem that involves changes in communities and the acclimation of organisms to them. The invasive Chlorophyte Caulerpa racemosa var. cylindracea is widespread in the Mediterranean and colonises large areas from 0 to 70 m in depth. The omnivorous fish Spondyliosoma cantharus presents a high frequency of occurrence of C. racemosa in the stomach contents at invaded areas (76.3%) while no presence of C. racemosa was detected in control areas. The isotopic composition of muscle differed significantly between invaded and non-invaded sites for δ¹³C (− 16.67‰ ± 0.09 and − 17.67‰ ± 0.08, respectively), δ¹⁵N (10.22‰ ± 0.22 and 9.32‰ ± 0.18, respectively) and the C:N ratio (2.01 ± 0.0002 and 1.96 ± 0.009, respectively). Despite the high frequency of occurrence of C. racemosa in the stomach contents of S. cantharus and its important contribution to the δ¹³C source (20.7% ± 16.2), the contribution of C. racemosa to the δ¹⁵N in S. cantharus food sources was very low (6.6% ± 5.8). Other invertebrate prey such as decapods and polychaetes were more important contributors to the δ¹⁵N source at both invaded and non-invaded sites. Activation of enzymatic pathways (catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione-s-tranferase, 7-ethoxy resorufin O-de-ethylase) but not a significant increase in lipid peroxidation MDA (0.49 ± 0.01 nmol/mg prot at non-invaded and 0.53 ± 0.01 nmol/mg prot at invaded sites) was observed in S. cantharus individuals living in C. racemosa-invaded sites compared with control specimens. The low δ¹⁵N contribution values of C. racemosa by S. cantharus together with the toxicity demonstrated by the activation of the antioxidant defences and the important contribution of invertebrate prey to the δ¹⁵N could mean that the ingestion of C. racemosa by S. cantharus might be unintentional during the predation of invertebrate preys living underneath the entanglement of the C. racemosa fronds and stolons mats.     

In vitro antioxidant and antitumor activities of polysaccharides extracted from Asparagus officinalis

Ultrasonic circulating extraction technology was applied for the polysaccharide extraction from Asparagus officinalis. The crude polysaccharides were deproteinized by Sevag method and three main polysaccharide fractions, AOP-4, AOP-6 and AOP-8 were obtained by fractional precipitation with gradient concentrations of ethanol (40%, 60% and 80%). The in vitro antitumor and antioxidant activities of the polysaccharide fractions were evaluated by MTT assay and free radical-scavenging assay, respectively. Deproteinized AOPs showed higher antioxidant and antitumor activities than crude AOP. AOP-4 with molecular weight 5.75 × 10⁴ Da showed significant function of scavenging hydroxyl radical. Three AOP fractions had significant antitumor activity against HeLa and BEL-7404 cells in a dose dependent manner. Furthermore, the inhibit activity of AOP-4 against HeLa cells was higher than those of other AOPs and the inhibition rate reached 83.96% at the concentration of 10 mg/mL. These results indicated that the AOP might be useful for developing natural safe antitumor drugs or health food.     

Study on the diuretic activity of Strychnos potatorum Linn. seed extract in albino rats

Methanol extract of Strychnos potatorum Linn. seeds (SPSE) was evaluated for its diuretic activity in Wistar albino rats. The SPSE was administered at the graded doses of 200, 400, and 600 mg/kg body weight. The parameters which were taken into account during the experimental on each rat were: total urine volume (corrected for water intake during the test period), body weight before and after the experiment, and the concentration of sodium, potassium, and chloride ions in urine. The total urine volumes of the SPSE (600 mg/kg)-treated rats were evaluated nearly two and half fold then compared with the control (saline treated) group. Excretion of cations (sodium and potassium ions) and anions (chloride ions) also increased significantly with respect to the control group. The diuretic effect was comparable with that of the standard drug Furosemide. The increase of cations in the urine on treatment with Strychnos potatorum seed extract (SPSE) was dose-dependent. This effect supports the use of the Strychnos potatorum seeds as a diuretic in folk remedies.     

Effects of atorvastatin therapy on hypercholesterolemic rabbits with respect to oxidative stress, nitric oxide pathway and homocysteine

Hypercholesterolemia is characterized with changes in lipid profile, nitric oxide pathway and oxidative stress markers. This study is designed to evaluate the effects of hypercholesterolemic diet and atorvastatin therapy on oxidative stress, lipid peroxide and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), NO pathway markers, nitric oxide(NO) and asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), homocysteine, and paraoxonase activity (PON1) in rabbits. Twenty rabbits fed with high-cholesterol diet for 8 weeks were randomly divided into 2 groups on the fourth week of the hypercholesterolemic diet. First group was fed with high-cholesterol diet alone, whereas the second group with the same cholesterol diet plus atorvastatin (0.3 mg/kg/day) for 4 weeks. High-cholesterol diet increased total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL-C), high density lipoprotein (HDL-C), ADMA, TBARS and lipid peroxide levels and reduced PON1 activity and NO levels in rabbits. Four weeks of atorvastatin therapy significantly increased HDL-C, PON1 activity and reduced LDL-C, TBARS and lipid peroxide concentrations. Atorvastatin therapy is beneficial in decreasing oxidative stress related with hypercholesterolemia, mainly affecting lipid profile and PON1 activity.