The Effect of Thyme Oil and Thymol on Hepatic Gene Expression Levels in Rabbits with Induced Hepatic Lipidosis

Authors : Gencay Ekinci, Vehbi Güneş

Pages : 250-262

Doi:10.30607/kvj.1689410

View : 48 | Download : 71

Publication Date : 2025-10-03

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Rabbits fed a high cholesterol diet (HCD) exhibit various physiopathologic features of hepatic lipidosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of thyme oil and thymol on inflammation-related hepatic gene expression levels in a HCD-induced hepatic lipidosis model. Male New Zealand rabbits were divided into 6 groups. These groups were; Standard rabbit chow, Standard rabbit chow + thymol, Standard rabbit chow + thyme oil, High cholesterol diet, High cholesterol diet + thymol, High cholesterol diet + thyme oil. Blood samples were collected at 0, 4, 8 and 11 weeks during the study. Total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride levels were analyzed. The mRNA expression levels of inflammation-related genes from liver tissue were analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction method. The expression levels of interleukin-4 (IL-4), IL-17 and interferon gamma genes were lower, whereas the expression levels of IL-9, IL-13, IL-18 and RAR-related orphan receptor gamma genes were higher in rabbits fed with HCD compared to the normal diet group (p<0.05). Thymol increased T-box transcription factor, IL-4, IL-17 and IL-18 gene expression. Thyme oil increased GATA binding protein 3 and IL-18 gene expression. In conclusion, thymol and thyme oil suppressed the expression of some inflammation-related genes and upregulated the expression of others. It can be stated that thymol and thyme oil may have positive effects on the prevention or correction of the inflammatory process from the gene level in the hepatic lipidosis model induced by HCD.
Keywords : Hepatik lipidozis, Hiperkolesterolemi, Kekik yağı, Timol, Yüksek kolesterol diyeti

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