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Background & Objective: Hypercholesterolemia is a risk factor for atherosclerosis that responded variably to dietary modification of fat and cholesterol. Previous studies in humans have shown that ingestion of lecithin can alter plasma cholesterol and triglyceride but results were different. The current study was designed to investigate the hypocholesterolemic properties of lecithin on patient with hypercholesterolemia. Materials & Methods: Sixty one subjects (27 Male, 34 Female) with mean ages 44±14 years old with hypercholesterolemia, was admitted to Mottahari Health Center(Shiraz), randomly assigned to the case (n=31) and control (n=30) groups. Case group received three lecithin capsules (1200 mg) which contain 420 mg Phosphatidylecoline, daily for six weeks. Subject's weight, Body Mass Index (BMI) and serum lipid concentration were measured at the beginning and the end of six weeks. Results: No significant difference were found in mean weight in case group when compared to control group. Also no significant difference were found in mean BMI in case group when compared to control group. Significantly lower mean serum Total Cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglyceride and significantly higher HDL cholesterol were found in case group. In addition mean serum total cholesterol (P<0.05), LDL cholesterol (P<0.05) and TG (P<0.05) decreased and mean serum HDL-Cholesterol (P<0.05) increases significantly in case group vs. control group. Conclusion: This study showed that lecithin could be considered as effective nutrient useful in dietary treatment of hypercholesterolemia.

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Background and Objective: Elevated levels of inflammation markers including white blood cell, platelet, serum fibrinogen and CRP are associated with prognosis in patients with coronary artery diseases. This study was done to determine the effect of hydroalcoholic extracts of Amaranthus caudatus l on Inflammation markers level in Hypercholesterolemic Rabbits. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 20 male Rabbits were allocated into four groups of five each: Group I Normal diet(75 days) Group II Hypercholesterolemic diet (75 days) Group III and IV Hypercholesterolemic diet (45 days) followed by Normal diet and Normal diet with hydroalcoholic extracts Amaranthus caudatus l., respectively for an additional 30 days(Regression period). Blood samples were collected from rabbits before and after 45 days and 75 days of respective diet regimen. The level of White Blood cell, platelet, serum fibrinogen and CRP were measured. Data analyzed by using SPSS-13 and one-way ANOVA‌ test. Results: CRP in treatment group reduced from 8.14±4.5 mg/l to 17.8±4.6 mg/l in hypercholesterolemic animals (group II) (P<0.05). WBC count was 20820±8692 and 42366±17048 in treatment and hypercholesterolemic animals, respectively (P<0.05). Platelet and fibrinogen concentration was reduced in treatment group 502600±35725 and 208±24 mg/dl, respectively in comparison with hypercholesterolemic animals 638000±59774 and 299±46 mg/dl, respectively. These differences were significant (P<0.05). Conclusion: This study showed that hydroalcoholic extracts of Amaranthus caudatus l reduces inflammatory markers in hypercholesterolemic rabbits.

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Background and Objective: Thyroid hormones have a key role in regulation of metabolism and function of the tissues. This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of alcoholic extract of Portulaca Oleracea on serum level of thyroid hormones in hypercholestrolemic rats. Methods: In this experimental study, 60 adult male Wistar rats were randomly allocated into six groups including: control group with normal diet, fat diet group with high fat diet and interventional groups were received high fat diet and alcoholic extract of Portulaca Oleracea with maximum dose (800 mg/kg/bw), moderate dose (400 mg/kg/bw), minimum dose (200 mg/kg/bw) intraperitoneally for 21 days and finally, animals in atorvastatin group were received high fat diet with atorvastatin (10 mg/kg/bw, intraperitoneally) for 21 days. After the end of this period, T3, T4, TSH and total cholesterol measured for each animal. Results:Serum level of T3 and T4 in the experimental groups which were received Portulaca Oleracea extract and atorvastatin group significantly increased in compared to controls (P<0.05). Serum level of TSH level significantly reduced in the experimental groups which were received Portulaca Oleracea extract and atorvastatin group in compared to controls (P<0.05). The serum total cholesterol level significantly reduced in the experimental groups which were received Portulaca Oleracea extract and atorvastatin group in compared to fat diet group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Portulaca Oleracea extract with increasing of secretion of thyroid hormone reduced the total cholesterol and TSH animals with hypercholesterolemia.

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Background and Objective: Hyperlipidemia can be considered as one of the main risk factor, involved in cardiovascular disease and it is a major cause of death. This study was done to determine the effect of air part of Echinophora platyloba extract on Pituitary - thyroid axis hormones and lipid profile in hypercholesterolemic rats.

Methods: In this experimental study, 40 male Wistar rats were randomly allocated into 5 groups (n=8) including control group with normal diet, hypercholesterolemic group along with high cholesterol diet, and the three treatment groups with hypercholesterolemia which animals were received daily doses of 100, 200 and 300 mg/kg/bw of the hydroalcoholic extract of Echinophora platyloba, respectively by gavage during 42 days. At the end of this period, blood sample was obtained. Lipid profile, including total cholesterol, triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), high density lipoprotein (HDL), triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4) and thyroid hormone stimulation (TSH) were measeared using Radioimnoassay method.

Results: The level of LDL and cholesterol and TG, significantly reduced in treated group receiving the lowest dose of the extract (100 mg/kg/bw) in compare to hypercholesterolemic group (P<0.05). The level of HDL, TSH and T4 significantly increased in the treated group receiving the highest doses of the extract (300 mg/kg/bw) in compare to hypercholesterolemic group (P<0.05).

Conclusion: Echinophora platyloba extract dose dependly can alter Pituitary- thyroid axis hormones and lipid profile in hypercholesterolemic rats.

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Background and Objective: Hyperlipidemia and high level of serum total cholesterol are risk factors contributing to prevalence and severity of cardiovascular complications like coronary heart diseases. Lamiaceae plants have terpenoids and flavonoids can reduce triglyceride and cholesterol, therefore. This study was done to evaluate the effect of feeding with essential oil of Thymus deanensis Celak. on lipid profile, blood urea and liver enzymes in hyperchlostrolemic male Wistar rats.

Methods: This experimental study was performed on 36 male Wistar rats. Animals were randomly divided into 6 groups (there were 6 rats in each groups). The groups including control, sham, two groups receiving 200 and 500 ppm Thymus deanensis essential oil and hyperchlostrolemia groups treated with doses of 200 and 500 ppm of Thymus deanensis essential oil. Hyperchlostrolemia was induced by giving high cholesterol (2%) and sweet almond oil (97.5%) diet. The animals were treated for 32 days with essential oil of the thyme. At the end of the 32-day trial, blood sampling was performed. Total cholesterol, triglyceride, urea and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) liver enzymes were measured.

Results: The level of ALT and AST in hypercholesterolemia rats were significantly increased in comparison with the control group (P˂0.05). Thymus daenensis essential oil significantly reduced level of triglycerides and cholesterol (P˂0.05). The high dose of Thymus daenensis (500 ppm) essential oil more than a low dose (200 ppm) significantly reduced the level of cholesterol and triglyceride (P˂0.05). Blood urea nitrogen significantly increased in hypercholesterolemia group in compare to control group (P˂0.05). After the administration of essential oil with a minimum and maximum dose in hypercholesterolemia rats, the level of urea in the blood significantly decreased (P˂0.05). The level of ALT and AST in hypercholesterolemia rats significantly increased in comparison with the control group (P˂0.05). AST level significantly reduced in the groups of rats which received minimal and maximal doses compared to the group hypercholesterolemia (P˂0.05).

Conclusion: By lowering blood lipids, urea and liver enzymes after the use of essential oils, it seems that the Thymus daenensis dose-dependent is effective in improving liver function, kidney and high level of  lipid.

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Background and Objective: Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is one of the most common inherited familial diseases that cause lipid accumulation in tendons and arteries by increasing the level of low density plasma lipoprotein (LDL). The main cause of FH is a mutation in the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) gene. This study was performed to evaluate common mutations in LDLR gene in FH patients.
Methods: This descriptive study was performed on 100 patients with suspected familial hypercholesterolemia referred to Sepehr laboratory according to the Simon Broom international standard in Karaj city, Iran during 2015. After complate the questionnaire form and drawing the family tree, it was found that 17 of them had a history of disease in at least one of the first degree relatives. The presence of changes was investigated using PCR-SSCP method, and after identifying the suspected cases direct DNA sequencing was performed.
Results: Among of 17 patients with a history of FH disease, 13 patients had a heterozygote mutation in the LDLR gene. Mutations included: c.97C>T, c.445G>T, c.651-653 (DEL3), c.652-654 (DEL3), c.682G>T, c.925-931 (DEL7), c.936-940 (DEL5), c.986G>T, c.2054C>T, c.2177C>T and c.313+1G>A. Four patients did not have mutations in their LDLR gene. In two patients the common polymorphism c.1959T>C was identified.
Conclusion: The LDLR gene was involved in the development of FH in the study population. However, another gene or locus may be involved in the outbreak of this disease in the studied population.