Pu-erh tea's anti-atherosclerosis mechanism by reducing the expression and activity of NF-κB and promoting macrophage apoptosis / 西安交通大学学报(医学版)

ABSTRACT

Objective: To explore the anti-atherosclerosis mechanism of pu-erh tea by reducing the expression and activity of NF-κB and promoting macrophage apoptosis. Methods: ① ApoE-/- mice were fed with pu-erh tea extract for 8 and 16 weeks to observe the positive rate of CD68 and the area of lipid plaque. ② Apoptosis detection kit was used to detect the apoptosis of macrophages. ③ P65 and IkB-β expressions in aortic plaque and macrophages were detected by Real-time quantitative PCR and Western blot; the expressions of inflammatory factors in aortic plaque were detected. Electrophoretic mobility change assay (EMSA) was used to analyze the binding activity of NF-κB DNA. Results: ① The area fraction of lipid plaque in ApoE-/- mice in the 16-week intervention group was significantly reduced (vs. control group, P0.05). The average gray value of NF-κB DNA binding activity in the 8- and 16-week intervention groups decreased respectively (vs. control group, P<0.05). Conclusion: Pu-erh tea may play an anti-atherosclerosis role by inhibiting the expression and activity of NF-κB, promoting the apoptosis of macrophages and reducing the level of inflammation in vivo. This mechanism may not be mediated by I κB.