title: Atherosclerosis and tumor suppressor molecules (review).
abstract: Atherosclerosis, the major cause of heart attack and stroke, is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by the formation of atherosclerotic plaque. Oxidized low-density lipoprotein through increased oxidative stress has been identified as one of the primary factors responsible for atherogenesis. Cell proliferation and death are key processes in the progression of atherosclerosis. The oxidative environment in areas of lipid accumulation is mainly created by the production of reactive oxygen species, which are assumed to mediate vascular tissue injury. Oxidative DNA damage and levels of DNA repair are reduced during dietary lipid lowering. The tumor suppressor molecules play a pivotal role in regulating cell proliferation, DNA repair and cell death, which are important processes in regulating the composition of atherosclerotic plaque. Accordingly, in this review, we discuss the fundamental role of tumor suppressor molecules in regulating atherogenesis. In particular, we discuss how tumor suppressor molecules are activated in the complex environment of atherosclerotic plaque, and regulate growth arrest, cell senescence and the apoptosis of vascular smooth muscle cells, which may protect against the progression of atherosclerosis. In addition, we discuss promising alternatives to the use of medications (such as statin) against atherosclerosis, namely diet, with the use of plant-derived supplements to modulate the expression and/or activity of tumor suppressor molecules. We also summarize the progress of research made on herbs with a focus on the modulatory roles of tumor suppressors, and on the molecular mechanisms underlying the prevention if atherosclerosis, supporting designs for further research in this field.
authors: Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Nara Women's University, Nishimachi, Nara 630-8506, Japan.
authors: Miho
authors: M
authors: Suzuki
authors: Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Nara Women's University, Nishimachi, Nara 630-8506, Japan.
authors: Akari
authors: A
authors: Minami
authors: Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Nara Women's University, Nishimachi, Nara 630-8506, Japan.
authors: Atsuko
authors: A
authors: Nakanishi
authors: Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Nara Women's University, Nishimachi, Nara 630-8506, Japan.
authors: Keiko
authors: K
authors: Kobayashi
authors: Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Nara Women's University, Nishimachi, Nara 630-8506, Japan.
authors: Satoru
authors: S
authors: Matsuda
authors: Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Nara Women's University, Nishimachi, Nara 630-8506, Japan.
authors: Yasunori
authors: Y
authors: Ogura
authors: Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Nara Women's University, Nishimachi, Nara 630-8506, Japan.
authors: Yasuko
authors: Y
authors: Kitagishi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000378:metabolism*; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents / Q000378:metabolism; D004032:Diet; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D002316:Cardiotonic Agents; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins