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Published on: September 26, 2018
Antiatherogenic effect of antioxidant polyphenols from Phellinus baumii in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice
Jung-Ran Noh1, In-Kyoung Lee, Yong-Hoon Kim
1Laboratory Animal Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), University of Science and Technology (UST), Daejeon, Republic of Korea.
Aims:
The present study was carried out to investigate the antiatherosclerotic effect of antioxidant polyphenols from Phellinus baumii (PBE) in apolipoprotein E-deficient (apoE-/-) mice.
Methods And Results:
apoE-/- mice were randomly divided into three groups: mice on a normal chow diet comprised the normal group, mice on an atherogenic diet plus vehicle were the control group, and mice on an atherogenic diet plus PBE (500 mg/kg) comprised the PB500 group. After 8 weeks of treatment, the plasma lipids and cytokine levels were measured. Although no significant differences were found in cholesterol levels among groups, the triglyceride level was significantly decreased in the PBE-treated group compared with the control group. Plasma tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-6 levels were reduced by PBE treatment. Real-time PCR analysis of the aorta showed that PBE significantly prevented the upregulation of the vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1, intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1, TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β expression. Furthermore, reduced macrophage infiltration, lipid accumulation and atherosclerotic lesions were observed in the aortic sinus and en face of the whole aorta in PBE-fed apoE-/- mice compared with atherogenic diet-fed control mice.
Conclusions:
Collectively, the findings of the present study suggest that the antiatherosclerotic effect of PBE is probably related to the inhibition of adhesion molecule and cytokine expression resulting in amelioration of lesion development.
Insights
Antioxidant polyphenols from Phellinus baumii (PBE) reduced triglycerides and inflammatory markers in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice. PBE ameliorated atherosclerotic lesion development, suggesting a potential antiatherosclerotic effect.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Immunology
- Cardiovascular Research
Background:
- Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by lipid deposition and plaque formation in arteries.
- Apolipoprotein E-deficient (apoE-/-) mice are a widely used model for studying atherosclerosis due to their spontaneous development of atherosclerotic lesions.
- Oxidative stress and inflammation play critical roles in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the antiatherosclerotic effects of antioxidant polyphenols from Phellinus baumii (PBE).
- To evaluate the impact of PBE on lipid profiles, inflammatory markers, and atherosclerotic lesion development in apoE-/- mice.
Main Methods:
- Atherosclerosis was induced in apoE-/- mice using an atherogenic diet.
- Mice were treated with PBE (500 mg/kg) or vehicle for 8 weeks.
- Plasma lipids, cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6), aortic gene expression (VCAM-1, ICAM-1, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β), and atherosclerotic lesion size were analyzed.
Main Results:
- PBE treatment significantly decreased triglyceride levels and suppressed plasma levels of TNF-α and IL-6.
- PBE significantly inhibited the expression of adhesion molecules (VCAM-1, ICAM-1) and inflammatory cytokines in the aorta.
- Reduced macrophage infiltration, lipid accumulation, and atherosclerotic lesions were observed in the aorta of PBE-treated mice.
Conclusions:
- PBE exhibits significant antiatherosclerotic effects in apoE-/- mice.
- The antiatherosclerotic activity of PBE is likely mediated by the inhibition of adhesion molecule and cytokine expression.
- PBE demonstrates potential as a therapeutic agent for preventing or treating atherosclerosis.
