Bahrudin Mochamad, Al Fauzi Asra, Sugianto Paulus
Doctoral Program of Medical Science, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya 60132, East Java, Indonesia.
Medical Faculty, University of Muhammadiyah Malang, Malang 65144, East Jawa, Indonesia.
Curr Issues Mol Biol. 2025 Jun 8;47(6):433. doi: 10.3390/cimb47060433.
Atherosclerosis is a chronic condition marked by lipid accumulation, inflammation, and endothelial dysfunction, leading to narrowed arteries and an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes. Key proteins involved in this process include PCSK9, LOX-1, ROS, CD36, and ABCA1. PCSK9 degrades LDL receptors, raising blood LDL levels, while LOX-1 and CD36 promote the uptake of oxidized LDL by macrophages, enhancing foam cell formation. ABCA1, on the other hand, facilitates cholesterol efflux to HDL, reducing atherosclerosis risk. Red watermelon (), rich in lycopene, citrulline, and vitamins A, C, and E, has antioxidant and cardioprotective properties. This study aimed to explore the effects of red watermelon extract on the expression of PCSK9, LOX-1, ROS, TNFα, CD36, and ABCA1 in a Wistar rat model of atherosclerosis. In a randomized control trial, male Wistar rats were induced with a high-fat diet (margarine) and treated with red watermelon extract for four weeks. The findings showed that red watermelon extract reduced the expression of PCSK9, LOX-1, CD36, ROS, and TNFα, leading to lower LDL levels, and inhibited foam cell formation. It also increased ABCA1 expression, thus promoting cholesterol efflux and higher HDL levels. Path analysis confirmed that the anti-atherogenic effect of was primarily mediated through the PCSK9-ABCA1-FC axis. This suggests that red watermelon may serve as a natural agent for atherosclerosis prevention by regulating lipid metabolism pathways.
动脉粥样硬化是一种慢性疾病,其特征为脂质积聚、炎症和内皮功能障碍,会导致动脉变窄,增加心脏病发作和中风的风险。参与此过程的关键蛋白质包括前蛋白转化酶枯草溶菌素9(PCSK9)、凝集素样氧化低密度脂蛋白受体1(LOX-1)、活性氧(ROS)、脂肪酸转运蛋白CD36和三磷酸腺苷结合盒转运体A1(ABCA1)。PCSK9会降解低密度脂蛋白(LDL)受体,提高血液中LDL水平,而LOX-1和CD36则促进巨噬细胞对氧化LDL的摄取,增强泡沫细胞的形成。另一方面,ABCA1有助于胆固醇外流至高密度脂蛋白(HDL),降低动脉粥样硬化风险。红西瓜富含番茄红素、瓜氨酸以及维生素A、C和E,具有抗氧化和心脏保护特性。本研究旨在探讨红西瓜提取物对动脉粥样硬化Wistar大鼠模型中PCSK9、LOX-1、ROS、肿瘤坏死因子α(TNFα)、CD36和ABCA1表达的影响。在一项随机对照试验中,雄性Wistar大鼠通过高脂饮食(人造黄油)诱导动脉粥样硬化,并接受红西瓜提取物治疗四周。研究结果表明,红西瓜提取物降低了PCSK9、LOX-1、CD36、ROS和TNFα的表达,从而降低了LDL水平,并抑制了泡沫细胞的形成。它还增加了ABCA1的表达,从而促进胆固醇外流并提高HDL水平。路径分析证实,红西瓜的抗动脉粥样硬化作用主要通过PCSK9-ABCA1-泡沫细胞(FC)轴介导。这表明红西瓜可能通过调节脂质代谢途径,作为预防动脉粥样硬化的天然药物。