Naringenin prevents cholesterol-induced systemic infl ammation, metabolic dysregulation, and atherosclerosis in Ldlr/mice

Abstract

Obesity-associated chronic infl ammation contributes to metabolic dysfunction and propagates atherosclerosis. Recent evidence suggests that increased dietary cholesterol exacerbates infl ammation in adipose tissue and liver, contributing to the proatherogenic milieu. The ability of the citrus fl avonoid naringenin to prevent these cholesterol-induced perturbations is unknown. To assess the ability of naringenin to prevent the amplifi ed infl ammatory response and atherosclerosis induced by dietary cholesterol, male Ldlr/mice were fed either a cholesterol-enriched high-fat or low-fat diet supplemented with 3% naringenin for 12 weeks. Naringenin, through induction of hepatic fatty acid (FA) oxidation and attenuation of FA synthesis, prevented hepatic steatosis, hepatic VLDL overproduction, and hyperlipidemia induced by both cholesterol-rich diets. Naringenin attenuated hepatic macrophage infi ltration and infl ammation stimulated by dietary cholesterol. Insulin resistance, adipose tissue expansion, and infl ammation were alleviated by naringenin. Naringenin attenuated the cholesterol-induced formation of both foam cells and expression of infl ammatory markers in peritoneal macrophages. Naringenin signifi cantly decreased atherosclerosis and inhibited the formation of complex lesions, which was associated with normalized aortic lipids and a reversal of aortic infl ammation. We demonstrate that in mice fed cholesterolenriched diets, naringenin attenuates peripheral and systemic infl ammation, leading to protection from atherosclerosis. These studies offer a therapeutically relevant alternative for the prevention of cholesterol-induced metabolic dysregulation.Copyright © 2013 by the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc..