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NISCAIR ONLINE PERIODICALS REPOSITORY (NOPR) >
NISCAIR PUBLICATIONS >
Research Journals >
Indian Journal of Natural Products and Resources (IJNPR)
[Formerly Natural Product Radiance (NPR)] >
NPR Vol.4 [2005] >
NPR Vol.4(5) [September-October 2005] >
| Title: | Fruit |
| Issue Date: | Oct-2005 |
| Publisher: | CSIR |
| Abstract: | Macrophage cholesterol
accumulation and foam cell formation are the hallmarks of early atherogenesis.
Pomegranate juice (PJ) was shown to inhibit macrophage foam cell formation and
development of atherosclerotic lesions. The scientists at Institute for Research
in the Medical Sciences and Rambam Medical Center, Haifa Israel elucidated
possible mechanisms by which pomegranate juice reduces cholesterol accumulation
in macrophages. J774.A1 macrophages were preincubated with PJ followed by
analysis of cholesterol influx [evaluated as LDL or as oxidized LDL (Ox-LDL)
cellular degradation], cholesterol efflux and cholesterol biosynthesis.
Preincubation of macrophages with PJ resulted in a significant reduction
(P<0.01) in Ox-LDL degradation by 40%. On the contrary, PJ had no
effect on macrophage degradation of native LDL or on macrophage cholesterol
efflux. Macrophage cholesterol biosynthesis was inhibited by 50%
(P<0.01) after cell incubation with PJ. This inhibition, however, was
not mediated at the 3-hydroxy-3 methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase level along
the biosynthetic pathway. It can be concluded that PJ-mediated suppression of
Ox-LDL degradation and of cholesterol biosynthesis in macrophages can lead to
reduced cellular cholesterol accumulation and foam cell formation. |
| Page(s): | 422-423 |
| ISSN: | 0975-1092 (Online); 0972-592X (Print) |
| Source: | NPR Vol.4(5) [September-October 2005]
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