Lipid metabolism potential and mechanism of CPe-III from chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

Abstract

The effects of CPe-III on hyperlipidemic mice were investigated, along with molecular docking and dynamics analyses between CPe-III and CETP. This study was conducted in order to explore the lipid metabolism potential and mechanism of CPe-III. CPe-III significantly (P<0.05) reduced serum total cholesterol, triglyceride and hepatic triglyceride levels and increased serum superoxide dismutase activity. CPe-III reversed liver changes induced by a high-fat diet and significantly (P<0.05) reduced kidney and epididymal fat indices. The activities of hepatic lipase and lipoprotein lipase, as well as fecal fat excretion, were significantly (P<0.05) enhanced. Furthermore, CPe-III was found to bind in the cavity of CETP, forming four stable hydrogen bonds. Hydrophobic interactions were the main driving force during binding. This study demonstrates that CPe-III improves dyslipidemia in mice. The binding of CPe-III to CETP demonstrates that CPe-III blocks cholesterol transport. These results indicate that CPe-III may be useful as an adjuvant element for hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis therapies.

Keywords: CETP; CPe-III peptide; Hyperlipidemic mice; Molecular simulation.