Objective: To investigate the role of autonomic nerves in rabbit atherosclerosis and the intervention effect of royal jelly.
Methods: A total of 18 male Japanese white rabbits were randomly divided into normal control (NC) group, high-fat and high-sugar diet (HFHSD) group, and royal jelly treatment (RJ) group, 6 in each group. High-fat and high-sugar diet was adopted. The AS model was induced for 12 weeks, and at the same time, the RJ group was orally administered 200 mg/kg of royal jelly, twice a day. (LDL-C) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C)], superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) levels; and measured electrocardiogram and blood pressure, respectively Heart rate variability (HRV) and cardiovascular baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) responses; blood vessels were taken for HE pathological observation and Sudan IV staining to evaluate the degree of AS.
Results: Compared with the NC group, the HFHSD group had higher blood lipids (P<0.05), obvious lipid deposition and AS plaques in the aorta (P<0.05, P<0.01), the plasma SOD activity and NO level decreased and the MDA content decreased. Compared with the HFHSD group, the royal jelly treatment group could significantly improve the above indicators.
Conclusion: High-fat and high-sugar diet can lead to cardiac autonomic nerve dysfunction in rabbits and promote the occurrence of AS. Royal jelly intervention can adjust autonomic nerve function and delay AS lesions.