Nir Melnikov
Current Organizations / Institutes
The organizations/institutes from the scholar's latest article
Research Subjects
Research Interests
Nir Melnikov has a total of 8 co-authors. Here are the top co-authors by number of shared publications:
- Ami Ben-Amotz
N.B.T., Nature Beta Technologies LTD, Eilat 8851100, Israel
1 shared publication - Aviv Shaish
The Bert W. Strassburger Metabolic Center, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan 5262000, Israel
1 shared publication - Ayelet Harari
The Bert W. Strassburger Lipid Center, Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer 5262000, Israel
1 shared publication - Dror Harats
The Bert W. Strassburger Metabolic Center, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan 5262000, Israel
1 shared publication - Hofit Cohen
The Bert W. Strassburger Lipid Center, Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer 5262000, Israel
1 shared publication - Lidor Mahler
The Bert W. Strassburger Lipid Center, Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer 5262000, Israel
1 shared publication
Latest Publications
- Open Access
Dietary β-Carotene Rescues Vitamin A Deficiency and Inhibits Atherogenesis in Apolipoprotein E-Deficient Mice
Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) is a major health problem, especially in developing countries. In this study, we investigated the effect of VAD from weaning to adulthood in apoE−/− mice. Three-week-old male mice were allocated into four diet groups: I. VAD II. VAD+vitamin A (VA), 1500 IU retinyl-palmitate; III. VAD+β-carotene (BC), 6 g/kg feed, containing 50% all-trans and 50% 9-cis BC. IV. VAD with BC and VA (BC+VA). After 13 weeks, we assessed the size of atherosclerotic plaques and measured VA in tissues and BC in plasma and tissues. VAD resulted in diminished hepatic VA levels and undetectable brain VA levels compared to the other groups. BC completely replenished VA levels in the liver, and BC+VA led to a two-fold elevation of hepatic VA accumulation. In adipose tissue, mice fed BC+VA accumulated only 13% BC compared to mice fed BC alone. Atherosclerotic lesion area of BC group was 73% lower compared to VAD group (p < 0.05). These results suggest that BC can be a sole source for VA and inhibits atherogenesis.
Open AccessDietary β-Carotene Rescues Vitamin A Deficiency and Inhibits Atherogenesis in Apolipoprotein E-Deficient Mice
Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) is a major health problem, especially in developing countries. In this study, we investigated the effect of VAD from weaning to adulthood in apoE−/− mice. Three-week-old male mice were allocated into four diet groups: I. VAD II. VAD+vitamin A (VA), 1500 IU retinyl-palmitate; III. VAD+β-carotene (BC), 6 g/kg feed, containing 50% all-trans and 50% 9-cis BC. IV. VAD with BC and VA (BC+VA). After 13 weeks, we assessed the size of atherosclerotic plaques and measured VA in tissues and BC in plasma and tissues. VAD resulted in diminished hepatic VA levels and undetectable brain VA levels compared to the other groups. BC completely replenished VA levels in the liver, and BC+VA led to a two-fold elevation of hepatic VA accumulation. In adipose tissue, mice fed BC+VA accumulated only 13% BC compared to mice fed BC alone. Atherosclerotic lesion area of BC group was 73% lower compared to VAD group (p < 0.05). These results suggest that BC can be a sole source for VA and inhibits atherogenesis.