Effect of Young Phragmites communis Leaves Powder on Lipid Metabolism and Erythrocyte Antioxidant Enzyme Activities in High-Fat Diet Fed Mice

This study investigated the effect of young Phragmites communis (Pc) leaves on lipid profiles, lipid metabolism and erythrocyte antioxidant defense system in high-fat diet fed mice. Three groups of mice were fed different diets for 8 weeks: normal diet (Normal), high-fat diet (High-fat; 37% calories from fat) and high-fat diet supplemented with 1% Pc (wt/wt, HF-Pc). Body weight, daily food intake and energy intake tended to decrease by Pc supplement in high-fat fed mice. Pc supplementation significantly lowered plasma triglyceride and total cholesterol concentrations compared to the high-fat control group. Pc also lowered hepatic and heart cholesterol contents, whereas it significantly increased fecal excretion of triglyceride and cholesterol compared to the high-fat control group. Pc significantly inhibited fatty acid synthase, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl CoA reductase and acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase activities compared to the high-fat control group. Erythrocyte superoxide dismutase and catalase activities were also significantly higher in the high-fat group than in the normal group, however Pc supplementation reversed these changes. The Pc supplementation significantly lowered erythrocyte lipid peroxidation level compared to the high-fat control group. Accordingly, these results suggest that Pc improves lipid metabolism and erythrocyte antioxidant defense system in high-fat diet fed mice.