Study of anti-atherosclerosis effect and potential mechanisms of piperine in ApoE / 中国药理学通报

Aim To investigate the therapeutic effects of piperine (PIP) on atherosclerosis in ApoE mice fed with high fat diet and the potential mechanisms. Methods After PIP was administered for 20 weeks, aorta was stained by oil red O with the area of aortic plaque analyzed. The levels of blood lipids and serum inflammatory factors were detected. Hepatic expressions of oxidative stress related factors were determined. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were cultured and treated with a series of concentrations of PIP after LPS induction. The levels of NO and oxidative lipids were detected and factors of PI3K/Akt/eNOS pathway were analyzed. Results Serum levels of TG, LDL-C, TNF-α and CRP were significantly reduced by PIP in ApoE