title: Naringenin prevents cholesterol-induced systemic inflammation, metabolic dysregulation, and atherosclerosis in Ldlr⁻/⁻ mice.
abstract: Obesity-associated chronic inflammation contributes to metabolic dysfunction and propagates atherosclerosis. Recent evidence suggests that increased dietary cholesterol exacerbates inflammation in adipose tissue and liver, contributing to the proatherogenic milieu. The ability of the citrus flavonoid naringenin to prevent these cholesterol-induced perturbations is unknown. To assess the ability of naringenin to prevent the amplified inflammatory response and atherosclerosis induced by dietary cholesterol, male Ldlr⁻/⁻ mice were fed either a cholesterol-enriched high-fat or low-fat diet supplemented with 3% naringenin for 12 weeks. Naringenin, through induction of hepatic fatty acid (FA) oxidation and attenuation of FA synthesis, prevented hepatic steatosis, hepatic VLDL overproduction, and hyperlipidemia induced by both cholesterol-rich diets. Naringenin attenuated hepatic macrophage infiltration and inflammation stimulated by dietary cholesterol. Insulin resistance, adipose tissue expansion, and inflammation were alleviated by naringenin. Naringenin attenuated the cholesterol-induced formation of both foam cells and expression of inflammatory markers in peritoneal macrophages. Naringenin significantly decreased atherosclerosis and inhibited the formation of complex lesions, which was associated with normalized aortic lipids and a reversal of aortic inflammation. We demonstrate that in mice fed cholesterol-enriched diets, naringenin attenuates peripheral and systemic inflammation, leading to protection from atherosclerosis. These studies offer a therapeutically relevant alternative for the prevention of cholesterol-induced metabolic dysregulation.
authors.affiliation: Vascular Biology, Robarts Research Institute; Department of Biochemistry.
authors.forename: Julia M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Assini
authors.affiliation: Vascular Biology, Robarts Research Institute; Department of Biochemistry.
authors.forename: Erin E
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Mulvihill
authors.affiliation: Vascular Biology, Robarts Research Institute.
authors.forename: Brian G
authors.initials: BG
authors.lastname: Sutherland
authors.affiliation: Vascular Biology, Robarts Research Institute; Department of Medicine.
authors.forename: Dawn E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Telford
authors.affiliation: Vascular Biology, Robarts Research Institute; Department of Medicine.
authors.forename: Cynthia G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Sawyez
authors.affiliation: Vascular Biology, Robarts Research Institute; Department of Biochemistry.
authors.forename: Sarah L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Felder
authors.affiliation: Vascular Biology, Robarts Research Institute; Department of Biochemistry.
authors.forename: Sanjiv
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chhoker
authors.affiliation: Vascular Biology, Robarts Research Institute; Department of Medicine.
authors.forename: Jane Y
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Edwards
authors.affiliation: Vascular Biology, Robarts Research Institute; Department of Medicine; Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gros
authors.affiliation: Vascular Biology, Robarts Research Institute; Department of Biochemistry; Department of Medicine.
authors.forename: Murray W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Huff
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005234:Fatty Liver / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control; D044950:Flavanones / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000378:metabolism; D007249:Inflammation / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D011973:Receptors, LDL / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D044950:Flavanones; D005419:Flavonoids; D011973:Receptors, LDL; D002784:Cholesterol; C005273:naringenin