Effects of cayenne pepper on hepatic gene expression involved in lipid metabolism in DSS treated rats fed an atherogenic diet (647.20)

Cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of morbidity and mortality in America. It is critical to understand the benefits of supplementing the diet with functional foods that may help in reducing risk factors for developing the disease. We have previously shown that a cayenne pepper diet improves the lipid profile in atherogenic diet fed rats and decreased C‐reactive protein level. The goal of this study is to determine the underlying mechanism of cayenne pepper on alteration of lipid profile and inflammation in DSS treated rats fed an atherogenic diet by analysis of hepatic gene expression using quantitative real time PCR. Forty male weanling (21 days old) Sprague‐Dawley rats were divided evenly into four groups (10/group, total N=40) in a 2 (diet) x 2 (treatment) factorial design using an atherogenic diet with or without cayenne pepper (2.9%) for 30 days, and with or without 3% Dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) inflammation inducing agent for 24 hours. Cayenne pepper‐fed rats had significantly down regulated fatty acid synthase (P=0.042), HMG CoA reductase (P=0.047), SREBP1 (P=0.045), SREBP2 (P=0.043), and RelA (P=0.035). Transcription of LDL‐receptor was significantly lower (P=0.017) in the cayenne pepper‐fed rats not treated with DSS. These findings demonstrate the use of cayenne pepper to beneficially augment gene expression of genes involved in lipid metabolism and inflammation and reduce the risk factors for CVD. Supported by SDSU UGP and NUTR 302L class.