The Inhibitory Effect of Ojeoksan on Early and Advanced Atherosclerosis.
Byung Hyuk HanChang-Seob SeoJung Joo YoonHye Yoom KimYou Mee AhnSo Young EunMi Hyeon HongJae Geon LeeHyeun Kyoo ShinHo Sub LeeYun Jung LeeDae Gill KangPublished in: Nutrients (2018)
Atherosclerosis is closely related to vascular dysfunction and hypertension. Ojeoksan (OJS), originally recorded in an ancient Korean medicinal book named "Donguibogam", is a well-known, blended herbal formula. This study was carried out to investigate the beneficial effects of OJS on atherosclerosis in vitro and in vivo. Western-diet-fed apolipoprotein-E gene-deficient mice (ApoE -/-) were used for this study for 16 weeks, and their vascular dysfunction and inflammation were analyzed. OJS-treated ApoE -/- mice showed lowered blood pressure and glucose levels. The levels of metabolic parameters with hyperlipidemia attenuated following OJS administration. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining revealed that treatment with OJS reduced atherosclerotic lesions. OJS also suppressed the expression of adhesion molecules and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) compared to Western-diet-fed ApoE -/- mice and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α)-stimulated human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Expression levels of MicroRNAs (miRNA)-10a, -126 3p were increased in OJS-fed ApoE -/- mice. OJS significantly increased the phosphorylation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and protein kinase B (Akt), which are involved in nitric oxide (NO) production. OJS also regulated eNOS coupling by increasing the expression of endothelial GTP Cyclohydrolase-1 (GTPCH). Taken together, OJS has a protective effect on vascular inflammation via eNOS coupling-mediated NO production and might be a potential therapeutic agent for both early and advanced atherosclerosis.
Keyphrases
- nitric oxide synthase
- endothelial cells
- nitric oxide
- blood pressure
- poor prognosis
- high fat diet
- protein kinase
- oxidative stress
- cognitive decline
- cardiovascular disease
- high fat diet induced
- physical activity
- pi k akt
- south africa
- binding protein
- weight loss
- signaling pathway
- high glucose
- type diabetes
- transcription factor
- single cell
- metabolic syndrome
- blood glucose
- staphylococcus aureus
- skeletal muscle
- vascular endothelial growth factor
- mild cognitive impairment
- heart rate
- ionic liquid
- dna methylation
- newly diagnosed
- smoking cessation
- glycemic control