Xinxuekang Regulates Reverse Cholesterol Transport by Improving High-density Lipoprotein Synthesis, Maturation, and Catabolism

J Cardiovasc Pharmacol. 2017 Aug;70(2):110-118. doi: 10.1097/FJC.0000000000000500.

Abstract

Di'ao Xinxuekang (XXK) is an herbal product in China and the Netherlands that has been clinically shown to attenuate atherosclerosis; however, the underlying antiatherosclerotic mechanism remains unclear. Because of its role in cholesterol homeostasis, reverse cholesterol transport (RCT) is a potential target for these beneficial effects. This study investigated the effects of XXK on RCT and related proteins. After treating ApoE-deficient mice with XXK for 8 weeks, we observed an increase in the expression level of ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 and ATP-binding cassette transporter G1, which in turn stimulated cholesterol efflux and reduced aortic atherosclerotic lesion area. XXK also increased high-density lipoprotein (HDL) synthesis by modulating the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ/liver X receptor α/ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 pathway and promoted HDL maturity by increasing serum lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase. In addition, XXK improved the selective uptake of HDL-cholesteryl ester by increasing the expression of scavenger receptor class B type I. This is the first study to show that XXK confers a regulation of RCT, at least in part, by improving HDL synthesis, maturation, and catabolism.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biological Transport / drug effects
  • Biological Transport / physiology
  • Cholesterol / metabolism*
  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal / pharmacology*
  • Lipoproteins, HDL / biosynthesis*
  • Male
  • Metabolism / drug effects
  • Metabolism / physiology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Sinus of Valsalva / drug effects
  • Sinus of Valsalva / metabolism

Substances

  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal
  • Lipoproteins, HDL
  • di'ao xinxuekang
  • Cholesterol