title: S-Allylcysteine, a garlic compound, increases ABCA1 expression in human THP-1 macrophages.
abstract: ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) is a key mediator of cholesterol efflux to apoA-I in lipid-loaded macrophages, which is the first step of reverse cholesterol transport in vivo and a critical step in preventing atherosclerosis. Enhanced ABCA1 expression may inhibit foam cell formation and consequently reduce atherogenic risk. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of S-allylcysteine (SAC), the most abundant organosulfur compound in aged garlic extract, on the expression of ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 in human THP-1 macrophages. The human monocyte THP-1 cells were differentiated to macrophage cells in the presence of phorbol 12-myristate13-acetate (PMA). Macrophage cells were then treated with different concentrations (10, 20 and 40 mM) of SAC for 24 h. Total RNA of treated macrophages was extracted and analyzed with real-time RT-PCR. ABCA1 protein expression was also analyzed with western blotting. Results showed that SAC increased the ABCA1 mRNA (1.82-, 2.07- and 2.23-fold) and protein (1.37-, 1.55- and 2.08-fold) expression in macrophage THP-1 cells compared with control (untreated cells). Results suggested that SAC can increase ABCA1 expression in macrophages and may be beneficial in promoting reverse cholesterol efflux.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Zahra
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Malekpour-Dehkordi
authors.forename: Ebrahim
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Javadi
authors.forename: Mahmood
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Doosti
authors.forename: Maliheh
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Paknejad
authors.forename: Mitra
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nourbakhsh
authors.forename: Narguess
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Yassa
authors.forename: Siavash
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gerayesh-Nejad
authors.forename: Ramin
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Heshmat
mesh_terms: D064286:ATP Binding Cassette Transporter 1; D018528:ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters / Q000378:metabolism*; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D002460:Cell Line; D002470:Cell Survival; D003545:Cysteine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D005487:Foam Cells / Q000166:cytology; D005737:Garlic / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D008264:Macrophages / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D013755:Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: C577836:ABCA1 protein, human; D064286:ATP Binding Cassette Transporter 1; D018528:ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters; C065299:S-allylcysteine; D003545:Cysteine; D013755:Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate