5-(4-Hydroxy-2,3,5-trimethylbenzylidene) thiazolidine-2,4-dione attenuates atherosclerosis possibly by reducing monocyte recruitment to the lesion

Exp Mol Med. 2011 Aug 31;43(8):471-8. doi: 10.3858/emm.2011.43.8.053.

Abstract

A variety of benzylidenethiazole analogs have been demonstrated to inhibit 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX). Here we report the anti-atherogenic potential of 5-(4-hydroxy- 2,3,5-trimethylbenzylidene) thiazolidin-2,4-dione (HMB-TZD), a benzylidenethiazole analog, and its potential mechanism of action in LDL receptor-deficient (Ldlr-/-) mice. HMB-TZD Treatment reduced leukotriene B4 (LTB4) production significantly in RAW264.7 macrophages and SVEC4-10 endothelial cells. Macrophages or endothelial cells pre-incubated with HMB-TZD for 2 h and then stimulated with lipopolysaccharide or tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) displayed reduced cytokine production. Also, HMB-TZD reduced cell migration and adhesion in accordance with decreased proinflammatory molecule production in vitro and ex vivo. HMB-TZD treatment of 8-week-old male Ldlr-/- mice resulted in significantly reduced atherosclerotic lesions without a change to plasma lipid profiles. Moreover, aortic expression of pro-atherogenic molecules involved in the recruitment of monocytes to the aortic wall, including TNF-α , MCP-1, and VCAM-1, was downregulated. HMB-TZD also reduced macrophage infiltration into atherosclerotic lesions. In conclusion, HMB-TZD ameliorates atherosclerotic lesion formation possibly by reducing the expression of proinflammatory molecules and monocyte/macrophage recruitment to the lesion. These results suggest that HMB-TZD, and benzylidenethiazole analogs in general, may have therapeutic potential as treatments for atherosclerosis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Atherosclerosis / drug therapy*
  • Cell Adhesion / drug effects
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Movement / drug effects
  • Chemokine CCL2 / metabolism
  • Dinoprostone / metabolism
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Humans
  • Leukotriene B4 / metabolism
  • Macrophages / cytology
  • Macrophages / drug effects
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Monocytes / cytology
  • Monocytes / drug effects*
  • Random Allocation
  • Receptors, LDL / deficiency
  • Receptors, LDL / genetics
  • Thiazolidinediones / therapeutic use*
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / pharmacology

Substances

  • Chemokine CCL2
  • Receptors, LDL
  • Thiazolidinediones
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • thiazolidine-2,4-dione
  • Leukotriene B4
  • Dinoprostone