Progression of atherosclerotic lesions in the arteries and related gene expression: protective effect of phytonutrients.

Abstract

We investigated the effect of the phytocompound Denshici-to-Chiusei (DTS) on the atherogenesis in apolipoprotein E(-/-)/low-density lipoprotein receptor(-/-) (apoE(-/-)/LDL receptor(-/-)) mice (E0). E0 mice were fed for 16 weeks with: (1) placebo or (2) 25 mg or (3) 50 mg of DTS/day. Aortic lesions were reduced by 38% (p < 0.01) in mice fed 50 mg/day, whereas peritoneal macrophages after both dosages had a 45%-60% lower (p < 0.01) capacity to oxidize LDL and to degrade it. This was associated with reduced LDL-associated lipoperoxides and a 22% inhibition (p < 0.05) in LDL aggregation. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) expression and immunoreactivity in the aortic media increased five-fold, but this was significantly mitigated by DTS (50 mg > 25 mg) (p < 0.05). DTS significantly attenuated inflammatory mechanisms preceding atherogenesis with reduced LDL susceptibility to oxidation-aggregation.

• Authors: Francesco Marotta, Masatoshi Harada, Emilio Minelli, Hariom Yadav, Ascanio Polimeni, Alao Lorenzetti, Nicola Locorotondo
• Journal: Rejuvenation research (Rejuvenation Res) 2010 Apr-Jun Vol. 13 Issue 2-3 Pg. 242-5 ISSN: 1557-8577 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 20370493 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Apolipoproteins E
• Denshici-to-Chiusei
• Plant Preparations
• Receptors, LDL

Topics

• Animals
• Apolipoproteins E (genetics)
• Arteries (drug effects, metabolism, pathology)
• Atherosclerosis (genetics, pathology, prevention & control)
• Cells, Cultured
• Cytoprotection (drug effects, genetics)
• Disease Models, Animal
• Disease Progression
• Drug Evaluation, Preclinical
• Eucommiaceae
• Food
• Gene Expression (drug effects)
• Macrophages, Peritoneal (drug effects, metabolism, pathology)
• Male
• Mice
• Mice, Knockout
• Panax
• Panax notoginseng (chemistry)
• Phytotherapy
• Plant Preparations (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Receptors, LDL (genetics)