Nobiletin prevents TMAO-induced vascular oxidative stress in rats

Choline-rich foods in the diet are metabolized by intestinal microflora to trimethylamine (TMA). TMA is subsequently oxidized in the liver by hepatic flavin monooxygenases (FMO), yielding trimethylamine oxide (TMAO) in vivo. TMAO has been reported to cause blood vessel inflammation and induce vascular diseases and atherosclerosis. To investigate the preventive effect of nobiletin on TMAO-induced vascular oxidative stress, the choline chloride fed rats were intragastric administrated of nobiletin. The expression levels of p-p65, p-p38 and iNOS were analyzed by immunohistochemistry, and the contents of gluthatione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA , NO and SOD were measured. The results revealed that nobiletin decreased the oxidative stress of the aorta of the experimental rats, and consequently prevented the activation of NF-κB and MAPK/ERK pathways to reduce the level of vascular inflammation.