Lipid lowering effects of Momordica charantia (Bitter Melon) in HIV-1-protease inhibitor-treated human hepatoma cells, HepG2

Br J Pharmacol. 2006 Aug;148(8):1156-64. doi: 10.1038/sj.bjp.0706821. Epub 2006 Jul 3.

Abstract

1. Hyperlipidemic effects of HIV-1-protease inhibitors (PI) are associated with increased hepatic production of triglyceride (TG)-rich lipoproteins, rather than lipoprotein clearance. PI are known to increase apolipoprotein B (apoB) secretion, apoC-III mRNA expression and decrease apoA-1 secretion. Nutritional therapy remains an important strategy to manage PI-associated hyperlipidemia. 2. This study investigated the in vitro efficacy of Asian vegetable, Momordica charantia or bitter melon (BM) to ameliorate PI-associated apoB and lipid abnormalities in HepG2 cells. 3. Our study demonstrates that bitter melon juice (BMJ) significantly reduced apoB secretion and apoC-III mRNA expression and normalized apoA-I expression in PI-treated HepG2 cells. BMJ also significantly reduced cellular TG and microsomal TG transfer protein, suggesting that lipid bioavailability and lipidation of apoB assembly may play a role in decreased apoB secretion. 4. Identifying molecular targets of BM may offer alternative dietary strategies to decrease PI-associated hyperlipidemia and improve quality of life among HIV-1-infected patients.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Apolipoprotein A-I / genetics
  • Apolipoprotein C-III / genetics
  • Apolipoproteins B / genetics
  • Apolipoproteins E / genetics
  • Base Sequence
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / metabolism*
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / pathology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • DNA Primers
  • HIV Protease Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Humans
  • Hypolipidemic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Lipid Metabolism*
  • Liver Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Liver Neoplasms / pathology
  • Momordica charantia*
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics

Substances

  • Apolipoprotein A-I
  • Apolipoprotein C-III
  • Apolipoproteins B
  • Apolipoproteins E
  • DNA Primers
  • HIV Protease Inhibitors
  • Hypolipidemic Agents
  • RNA, Messenger