Ethanolic extracts of Brazilian red propolis increase ABCA1 expression and promote cholesterol efflux from THP-1 macrophages

Phytomedicine. 2012 Mar 15;19(5):383-8. doi: 10.1016/j.phymed.2011.10.007. Epub 2012 Feb 2.

Abstract

The ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) is a membrane transporter that directly contributes to high-density lipoprotein (HDL) biogenesis by regulating the cellular efflux of cholesterol. Since ABCA1 plays a pivotal role in cholesterol homeostasis and HDL metabolism, identification of a novel substance that is capable of increasing its expression would be beneficial for the prevention and therapy of atherosclerosis. In the present study, we studied the effects of ethanolic extracts of Brazilian red propolis (EERP) on ABCA1 expression and cholesterol efflux in THP-1 macrophages. EERP enhanced PPARγ and liver X receptor (LXR) transcriptional activity at 5-15μg/ml, which was associated with upregulation of PPARγ and LXRα expression. It was also found that EERP increase the activity of the ABCA1 promoter, which is positively regulated by LXR. Consistent with these findings, treatment with EERP increased both mRNA and protein expression of ABCA1. Finally, EERP upregulated ApoA-I-mediated cholesterol efflux. Our results showed that EERP promote ApoA-I-mediated cholesterol efflux from macrophages by increasing ABCA1 expression via induction of PPARγ/LXR.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter 1 / genetics*
  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter 1 / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Apolipoprotein A-I / drug effects
  • Apolipoprotein A-I / metabolism
  • Biological Transport / drug effects
  • Cattle
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Cholesterol / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Liver X Receptors
  • Macrophages / drug effects*
  • Macrophages / metabolism
  • Models, Biological
  • Orphan Nuclear Receptors / drug effects
  • Orphan Nuclear Receptors / genetics
  • PPAR gamma / drug effects
  • PPAR gamma / genetics
  • Plant Extracts / chemistry
  • Plant Extracts / isolation & purification
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology*
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic / drug effects
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic / genetics
  • Propolis / chemistry*
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Transcription, Genetic / drug effects

Substances

  • ABCA1 protein, human
  • APOA1 protein, human
  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter 1
  • Apolipoprotein A-I
  • Liver X Receptors
  • NR1H3 protein, human
  • Orphan Nuclear Receptors
  • PPAR gamma
  • Plant Extracts
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Propolis
  • Cholesterol