BACKGROUND

Atherosclerosis (AS), a chronic inflammatory disease, is a major contributor to deaths worldwide. Ganoderic acid A (GAA) has been widely applied for various diseases due to its excellent anti-inflammatory properties.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the underlying mechanism of GAA inhibition of inflammation and lipid deposition in human monocyte (THP-1) cells.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was used to assess the potential effect of GAA on the viability of THP-1 cells. The release of inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress was measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and the corresponding kit, respectively. The levels of lipid deposition and total cholesterol (TC) were also evaluated. Next, the scavenger receptors and proteins in Notch1/PPARă/CD36 signaling were measured with western blot. As Notch1 was overexpressed in the THP-1 cells induced by oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL), the above assays were performed again to confirm the underlying mechanism.

RESULTS

Ganoderic acid A suppressed ox-LDL-induced inflammation and oxidative stress in THP-1 cells. At the same time, it inhibited the TC level and lipid deposition. The effects of GAA on alleviating inflammation, oxidative stress and lipid accumulation were relieved after the overexpression of Notch1 in the treated cells, and the effects of GAA on alleviating inflammation, oxidative stress and lipid accumulation were diminished. The PPARă activator also weakened the effects of GAA on relieving inflammation, oxidative stress and lipid accumulation in ox-LDL-induced THP-1 cells.

CONCLUSIONS

Ganoderic acid A inhibits ox-LDL-induced macrophage inflammation and lipid deposition in THP-1 cells through Notch1/PPARă/CD36 signaling, which may provide theoretical guidance for the clinical applications of GAA in AS treatment.