Desirable Effects of Pinus koraiensis Oil on Lipid Metabolism Improvement of Rats

Modern society is experiencing economic growth and westernization of dietary trends. The increasing consumption of animal products and fat has consequently led to an increased incidence of obesity, hyperlipidemia, atherosclerosis, and myocardial infarction‐induced circulatory diseases. According to data from the Department of Health and Human Services, 2013 and the National Health Statistics, cases of hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia disease are increasing annually. Causes of hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia include genetic factors, liver and kidney disease, diabetes, and endocrine disorders. In addition, these conditions are influenced by secondary factors such as lack of exercise, environment, and poor diet. Diet therapy has been shown to prevent and improve the outcome of patients with lipid metabolism abnormalities. Recently, both domestic and international health communities have expressed interest in research examining soybean oil as a functional edible oil. This plant resource contains triglycerides, fatty acids, as well as phytosterol, flavonoids, and fat‐soluble vitamins, and has been reported to be effective against obesity, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. In this study, we analyzed Pinus koraiensis for their efficacy in preventing atherosclerosis, obesity, and dyslipidermia. Pinus koraiensis oil were tested for ability to treat lipid metabolism abnormalities. For the experimental methods, HUVECs were used to verify anti‐atherogenic efficacy and the 3T3‐L1 cell was used to evaluate their effects on lipid metabolism in vitro. In the case of high cholesterol and hyperlipidemia, vegetable oils of 7% and 15% were mixed and fed to SD‐rats. This was followed by blood analysis for the atherogenic index, fatty streak area, TBARS, and PON activity. In addition, the selected vegetable oils were analyzed for their chemical composition and quality; a fatty acid analysis was also performed. Functional verification of the anti‐atherosclerotic effects of these oils revealed that Pinus korainensis oil inhibited the expression of ICAM‐1 and VCAM‐1. In the in vitro test, it inhibited the mRNA expression of ICAM‐1 and VCAM‐1 and cell proliferation. The test was grafted in animal study. In the high fat/high cholesterol test, the atherosclerosis‐induced SD‐rat was used. Arterial lipid deposition, TBARS, PON activity, and fatty streak area were analyzed to determine the effect of the oils on atherosclerosis. The condition was found to be improved by Pinus korainensis oil. Therefore, Pinus korainensis oil had a significant and positive effect on atherosclerosis. Thus, Pinus korainensis oils could serve as domestic oil resources and viable replacements for soybean oil in the treatment of lipid metabolic disorders. Support or Funding Information This work was supported by grants of High Value‐added Food Technology Development Program, Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs(312001‐03‐01‐HD040), Well‐being Bioproducts Regional Innovation Center project (B0009702) and kangwon national university institute of bioscience & biotechnology (320130015). 1Effect of Pinus koraiensis oil (PKO) on change of body weight (A) and liver weight (B). Values represent the mean ± S.D.(n=3). Values with the same letter are not significantly different by tukey test (p<0.05). ND : normal diet, HCHF : high‐cholesterol and high‐fat diet, HCHFS : high‐cholesterol and high‐fat diet with simvastatin, HCHFP 7% : high‐cholesterol and high‐fat diet with PKO 7%, HCHFP 15% : high‐cholesterol and high‐fat diet with PKO 15%.2Effect of Pinus koraiensis oil (PKO) on the serum lipid level in SD‐ rats fed a HCHF diet. (A) Effects of PKO on serum total cholesterol concentration (B) Effects of PKO on serum triglyceride concentration (C) Effects of PKO on serum HDL‐cholesterol concentration (D) Effects of PKO on serum LDL‐cholesterol concentration. Values represent the mean ± S.D.(n=3). Values with the3Effect of Pinus koraiensis oil (PKO) on atherogenic index in SD‐ rats fed a HCHF diet. Values represent the mean ± S.D.(n=3). Values with the same letter are not significantly different by tukey test (p<0.05). ND : normal diet, HCHF : high‐cholesterol and high‐fat diet, HCHFS : high‐cholesterol and high‐fat diet with simvastatin, HCHFP 7% : high‐cholesterol and high‐fat diet with PKO 7%, HCHFP 15% : high‐cholesterol and high‐fat diet with PKO 15%.4Effect of Pinus koraiensis oil (PKO) on TBARS level in the liver (A) and paraoxonase (PON) activity in serum (B) of SD‐rats fed a HCHF diet. Values represent the mean ± S.D.(n=3). Values with the same letter are not significantly different by tukey test (p<0.05).5Effect of Pinus koraiensis oil (PKO) on fatty streak area in SD‐rats fed a HCHF diet. Values represent the mean ± S.D.(n=3). Values with the same letter are not significantly different by tukey test (p<0.05).