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Published on: January 7, 2019
[The effect of anthocyanins on cholesterol efflux from mouse peritoneal macrophage-derived foam cells and its
Min Xia1, Qing Wang, Meng-jun Hou
1Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health, Sun Yet-sen University, Northern Campus, Guangzhou 510080, China.
Objective:
To investigate the potential role of anthocyanins on modulating cholesterol efflux in mouse peritoneal macrophage-derived foam cells and related molecular mechanisms.
Methods:
The macrophages were isolated from pathogen-free NIH mice and were loaded with 50 microg/ml oxLDL for 24 hours, newly formed foam cells were then treated with anthocyanins (cyanidin-3-glucoside, Cy-3-g; or peonidin-3-glucoside, Pn-3-g) at the concentrations of 1 micromol/L, 10 micromol/L, 100 micromol/L for 0 to 36 hours, respectively. The enzymatic-fluorescent method was used to determine cholesterol content in culture medium. ABCA1 expressions at mRNA and protein level were detected by real-time PCR and confocal microscope.
Results:
Cholesterol efflux of macrophage-derived foam cells increased in a time- and dose-dependent manner post anthocyanins treatment. ABCA1 expressions at mRNA and protein levels were also significantly enhanced after anthocyanins treatment in these cells and these effects could be blocked by co-treatment with DIDS, an inhibitor of the transport activities of ABCA1 and blocker of apoAI-mediated cholesterol efflux.
Conclusion:
These data demonstrate that anthocyanins induce cholesterol efflux from mouse peritoneal macrophage-derived foam cells via regulating ABCA1 expression.
Insights
Anthocyanins boost cholesterol removal from macrophage foam cells by increasing ABCA1 expression. This suggests a potential therapeutic role for anthocyanins in managing cholesterol levels and cardiovascular health.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Cardiovascular Research
Background:
- Macrophage foam cells are central to atherosclerosis development.
- Cholesterol efflux is a critical process in preventing foam cell accumulation.
- Anthocyanins are plant pigments with potential health benefits.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine how anthocyanins affect cholesterol efflux in macrophage foam cells.
- To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying anthocyanin-mediated cholesterol modulation.
- To investigate the role of ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) in this process.
Main Methods:
- Isolation of mouse peritoneal macrophages and induction of foam cells using oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL).
- Treatment of foam cells with specific anthocyanins (cyanidin-3-glucoside and peonidin-3-glucoside) at varying concentrations and time points.
- Quantification of cholesterol efflux using an enzymatic-fluorescent method.
- Assessment of ABCA1 gene and protein expression via real-time PCR and confocal microscopy.
Main Results:
- Anthocyanin treatment significantly increased cholesterol efflux in a time- and dose-dependent manner.
- Both mRNA and protein levels of ABCA1 were notably upregulated by anthocyanins.
- The observed effects on cholesterol efflux were diminished by DIDS, an ABCA1 inhibitor.
Conclusions:
- Anthocyanins promote cholesterol efflux from macrophage foam cells.
- This effect is mediated through the upregulation of ABCA1 expression.
- Anthocyanins show promise as a dietary intervention for managing cholesterol metabolism.
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