title: Effects of Alisma Decoction on lipid metabolism and inflammatory response are mediated through the activation of the LXRα pathway in macrophage-derived foam cells.
abstract: The liver X receptor α (LXRα)/ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) pathway and LXR-modulated cytokines play an important role in macrophages which mediate lipid engulfment and the inflammatory response, and participate in the process of atherosclerosis. Therefore, lipid-lowering and anti-inflammatory therapy through the activation of the LXRα/ABCA1 pathway and LXRα-modulated cytokines may prove to be one of the main treatment strategies for atherosclerosis. Alisma Decoction (AD) has long been used in China to clinically treat cardiovascular and cerebral diseases; however, the precise mechanisms involved remain to be elucidated. In the present study, we evaluated the regulation of lipids and the anti-inflammatory effects exerted by AD and investigated the underlying molecular mechanisms using oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL)-stimulated foam cells derived from rat peritoneal macrophages. We first found that AD markedly relieved lipid deposition in foam cells as it increased LXRα and ABCA1 expression and decreased the ox-LDL-induced expression of inflammatory cytokines, such as matrix metalloproteinase-9 and interleukin-1β. Collectively, our findings suggest that blocking lipid deposition and inhibiting inflammatory response through the activation of the LXRα pathway may be one of the main mechanisms through which AD exerts its anti-atherosclerotic effects.
authors: Affiliated Rehabilitation Hospital, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian 350003, P.R. China.
authors: Xiehua
authors: X
authors: Xue
authors: College of Rehabilitation Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian 350003, P.R. China.
authors: Tong
authors: T
authors: Chen
authors: Affiliated Rehabilitation Hospital, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian 350003, P.R. China.
authors: Wei
authors: W
authors: Wei
authors: College of Rehabilitation Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian 350003, P.R. China.
authors: Xiaomao
authors: X
authors: Zhou
authors: Affiliated Rehabilitation Hospital, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian 350003, P.R. China.
authors: Zhicheng
authors: Z
authors: Lin
authors: College of Rehabilitation Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian 350003, P.R. China.
authors: Lidian
authors: L
authors: Chen
mesh_terms: D064286:ATP Binding Cassette Transporter 1 / Q000378:metabolism; D034902:Alisma / Q000737:chemistry*; D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001391:Azo Compounds / Q000378:metabolism; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D005487:Foam Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology*; D007249:Inflammation / Q000473:pathology*; D053583:Interleukin-1beta / Q000378:metabolism; D050356:Lipid Metabolism / Q000187:drug effects*; D000071518:Liver X Receptors; D017737:Macrophages, Peritoneal / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000378:metabolism; D057093:Orphan Nuclear Receptors / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects; D013194:Staining and Labeling
chemical_list: D064286:ATP Binding Cassette Transporter 1; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D001391:Azo Compounds; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D053583:Interleukin-1beta; D000071518:Liver X Receptors; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9; D057093:Orphan Nuclear Receptors; C577834:Abca1 protein, rat; C000605215:Nr1h3 protein, rat; C011049:oil red O