title: Baicalein is an available anti-atherosclerotic compound through modulation of nitric oxide-related mechanism under oxLDL exposure.
abstract: OxLDL facilitate reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation and up-regulation of the executioner caspase-3 via the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway involves several critical steps in human endothelial cells. Previous studies reported that oxLDL-facilitated endothelial oxidative stress is associated with impairment of eNOS and up-regulation of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). Baicalein is the most abundant component that has anti-HIV, anti-tumor, anti-oxidant and free radical scavenging functions. In this present study, we shown that baicalein hinibits oxLDL-caused endothelial dysfunction through suppression of endothelial inflammation and oxidative stress that causes to cellular apoptosis. Specifically, baicalein reduces the elevation of ROS concentration, which subsequently inhibits the oxLDL-decreased expression of anti-oxidant enzymes, enriches the bioavailability of NO, stabilizes the mitochondrial membrane, thereby inhibiting the discharge of cytochrome c from mitochondria, a molecule required for the activation of the pro-apoptotic protein caspase 3. However, inhibition of eNOS impairs the anti-apoptotic and anti-inflammatory effects of baicalein. These results provide new insight into the possible molecular mechanisms by which baicalein protects against atherogenesis by NO-related pathways.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Shih-Hung
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.affiliation: Institute of Allied Health Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.|Department of Physical Therapy, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Ching-Hsia
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Hung
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Chi-Mei Hospital, Tainan, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Jhih-Yuan
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Shih
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Pei-Ming
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Chu
authors.affiliation: Department of Education and Research, Taipei City Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Yung-Hsin
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Yi-Ju
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Tsai
authors.affiliation: Institute of Allied Health Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.|Department of Physical Therapy, Shu-Zen Junior College Of Medicine and Management, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Huei-Chen
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Kun-Ling
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Tsai
mesh_terms: D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000517:prevention & control; D053148:Caspase 3 / Q000378:metabolism; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004789:Enzyme Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D044950:Flavanones / Q000494:pharmacology*; D061307:Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism*; D052247:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D052250:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D044950:Flavanones; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; C099252:oxidized low density lipoprotein; D009569:Nitric Oxide; C006680:baicalein; D052247:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II; D052250:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III; D053148:Caspase 3
keywords: Gerotarget; baicalein; endothelial cells; nitric oxide; oxidized low-density lipoprotein; reactive oxygen species