The Effects of Thyme Oil and Thymol on Hepatic Gene Expression Levels in Rabbits with High Cholesterol Diet-Induced Hepatic Lipidosis

Ekinci G., Güneş V.

Kocatepe Veterinary Journal, cilt.18, sa.3, ss.1-13, 2025 (TRDizin)

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 18 Sayı: 3
  • Basım Tarihi: 2025
  • Dergi Adı: Kocatepe Veterinary Journal
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: TR DİZİN (ULAKBİM)
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.1-13
  • Erciyes Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Rabbits fed a high cholesterol diet (HCD) exhibit various physiopathologic features of hepatic lipidosis. This study aimed to investigate the effects of thyme oil (TO) and thymol (T) on inflammation-related hepatic gene expression in a rabbit model of high cholesterol diet–induced hepatic lipidosis. Male New Zealand rabbits were divided into six groups. The groups were: Standard rabbit diet (SD, n= 8), Standard rabbit diet + thymol (SD+T, n= 8), Standard rabbit diet + thyme oil (SD+TO, n= 8), High cholesterol diet (HCD, n=8), High cholesterol diet + thymol (HCD+T, n= 8), and High cholesterol diet + thyme oil (HCD+TO, n= 8). Blood samples were collected at weeks 0, 4, 8, and 11 of the study. Total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and triglyceride (TG) levels were analyzed. The mRNA expression levels of inflammation-related genes from liver tissue were analyzed by the real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method. The expression levels of interleukin 4 (IL4), IL17 and interferon gamma (IFNγ) genes were lower, whereas the expression levels of IL9, IL13, IL18 and RAR-related orphan receptor gamma (RORγ) genes were higher in rabbits fed with HCD compared to the normal diet group (p < 0.05). Thymol increased T-box transcription factor (Tbet), IL4, IL17A, and IL18 gene expression. Thyme oil increased GATA-binding protein 3 (Gata3) and IL18 gene expression. In conclusion, an HCD successfully established a non-obese rabbit model of hepatic lipidosis characterized by microvesicular steatosis, liver injury, and immune gene alterations. Thyme oil and thymol modulated immune responses by affecting key cytokine expressions but did not improve lipid profiles or liver histopathology. These results suggest that the immunomodulatory effects of thyme compounds are complex and their therapeutic potential may depend on specific disease contexts and treatment parameters. Further research is needed to clarify their role in hepatic lipidosis management.