Ellagic acid suppresses oxidised low-density lipoprotein-induced aortic smooth muscle cell proliferation: studies on the activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen expression.
Proliferation of intimal vascular smooth muscle cells is an important component in the development of atherosclerosis. Ellagic acid is a phenolic compound present in fruits (raspberries, blueberries, strawberries) and walnuts. The present study investigated the effect of ellagic acid on the oxidised LDL (ox-LDL)-induced proliferation of rat aortic smooth muscle cells (RASMC). The study found that ellagic acid significantly inhibited ox-LDL-induced proliferation of RASMC and phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2. Furthermore, ellagic acid also blocked the ox-LDL-induced (inducible) cell-cycle progression and down regulation of the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in RASMC. Therefore, ellagic acid reduced the amount of ox-LDL-induced proliferation of RASMC via inactivation of the ERK pathway and suppression of PCNA expression. These results may significantly advance the understanding of the role that antioxidants play in the prevention of atherosclerosis.
Chang
Weng-Cheng
WC
Department of Health Sciences, Chang Jung Christian University, 396 Chang Jung Road, Sec. 1 Kway Jen, Tainan, Taiwan. winstonwcchang@hotmail.com
Yu
Ya-Mei
YM
Chiang
Su-Yin
SY
Tseng
Chiung-Yao
CY
D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001011:Aorta; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D015153:Blotting, Western / Q000379:methods; D002453:Cell Cycle / Q000187:drug effects; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004610:Ellagic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004789:Enzyme Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D048052:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3 / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D032389:Myocytes, Smooth Muscle / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D010766:Phosphorylation; D018809:Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats
D000975:Antioxidants; D015415:Biomarkers; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; D018809:Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen; C099252:oxidized low density lipoprotein; D004610:Ellagic Acid; D048052:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3