Effect of Hesperidin Supplementation on Lipid and Antioxidant Metabolism in Ethanol-fed Rats

This study examined the effect of hesperidin supplementation with an ethanol diet on lipid and antioxidant metabolism in rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into two groups (n=10), and were assigned to one of two dietary categories: $E_8$, ethanol diet (50 g/L) for 8 wks; $E_8H_4$, ethanol diet for the first 4 wks and hesperidin (0.02%, w/w) supplemented ethanol diet for the last 4 wks. The plasma and hepatic lipids, hepatic cholesterol regulating enzyme activity, hepatic antioxidant enzyme activity and lipid peroxidation were determined. Supplementation with hesperidin for the last 4 wks during the 8 wks period of the ethanol diet, significantly increased the ADH activity. In conjunction with the chronic administration of ethanol, hesperidin supplementation resulted in a significant decrease in the hepatic cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations compared to the $E_8$ group. The hepatic HMG-CoA reductase and ACAT activities were significantly lower in the hesperidin-supplemented group. When comparing hepatic antioxidant enzyme activities, SOD, GSH-Px, and G6PD activities and GSH level were significantly higher in the $E_8H_4$ group than in the E8 group. Plasma TBARS levels were significantly lower in rats fed ethanol with hesperidin compared to the rats fed only ethanol; however, the hepatic TBARS levels were not significantly different between the groups. Accordingly, the additional hesperidin supplement with an ethanol diet might be effective for improving the hepatic lipid metabolism and antioxidant defense system.