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Ethanolic Extract of Propolis Promotes Reverse Cholesterol Transport and the Expression of ATP-Binding Cassette Transporter A1 and G1 in Mice

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Lipids

Abstract

The ethanolic extract of propolis (EEP) is beneficial in increasing high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (HDL-C) and diminishing risks of atherosclerosis. In this study, we examined the effects of EEP on reverse cholesterol transport in mice. 3H -cholesterol laden macrophage was injected intraperitoneally into mice fed by gastric gavage with EEP. Plasma lipid level was determined and 3H-cholesterol was traced in plasma, liver and feces. The effects of EEP on ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 and G1 (ABCA1 and ABCG1) and scavenger receptor BI (SR-BI) in mice liver and in cultured cells were also investigated. EEP administration led to a significant increase in HDL-C and peritoneal macrophage-original 3H-cholesterol in plasma, liver and feces. Liver protein expressions of ABCA1 and ABCG1 were increased but SR-B1 was not. In vitro experiments with HepG2 and Raw264.7 cell lines confirmed the above results. The finding of these studies shows that EEP-enhanced reverse cholesterol transport may have resulted from EEP stimulated plasma HDL level and hepatic ABCA1 and ABCG1 expression.

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Abbreviations

ABCA1:

ATP-binding cassette transporter A1

ABCG1:

ATP-binding cassette transporter G1

Ac-LDL:

Acetylated low density lipoprotein

ANOVA:

Analysis of variance

CPM:

Count/min

DMEM:

Dulbecco’s modified eagle medium

DMSO:

Dimethyl sulfoxide

EEP:

Ethanolic extract of propolis

FBS:

Fetal bovine serum

HDL:

High density lipoprotein

HDL-C:

High density lipoprotein cholesterol

LDL:

Low density lipoprotein

LDL-C:

Low density lipoprotein cholesterol

PVDF:

Polyvinylidene fluoride

RCT:

Reverse cholesterol transport

SDS-PAGE:

Sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis

SR-BI:

Scavenger receptor BI

TC:

Total cholesterol

TG:

Triglyceride(s)

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by a grant from the “Tai Shan Scholars” foundation of Shandong province (ZD056, ZD057), and by a special foundation of Tai Shan Medical College (1065). We would like to thank Guanghai Zhou and Xinnong Wang for expert technical assistance.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Atherosclerosis, Taishan Medical University, 2# Yingsheng E Road, Taian, 271000, Shandong, People’s Republic of China

    Yang Yu, Guohua Song, Tian Luo & Shucun Qin

  2. Department of Basic Medicine, Taishan Medical University, Taian, 271000, Shandong, People’s Republic of China

    Yanhong Si, Jiafu Wang & Shucun Qin

Authors
  1. Yang Yu
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  2. Yanhong Si
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  3. Guohua Song
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  4. Tian Luo
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  5. Jiafu Wang
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  6. Shucun Qin
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Correspondence to Shucun Qin.

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Yu, Y., Si, Y., Song, G. et al. Ethanolic Extract of Propolis Promotes Reverse Cholesterol Transport and the Expression of ATP-Binding Cassette Transporter A1 and G1 in Mice. Lipids 46, 805–811 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11745-011-3568-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11745-011-3568-7

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