Oxidized low-density lipoprotein induced mouse hippocampal HT-22 cell damage via promoting the shift from autophagy to apoptosis.

Aims: Although oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) in the brain induces neuronal death, the mechanism underlying the damage effects remains largely unknown. Given that the ultimate outcome of a cell is depended on the balance between autophagy and apoptosis, this study was performed to explore whether ox-LDL induced HT-22 neuronal cell damage via autophagy impairment and apoptosis enhancement.

Methods: Flow cytometry and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to evaluate changes in cell apoptosis and autophagy, respectively.

Nicotinate-Curcumin Impedes Foam Cell Formation from THP-1 Cells through Restoring Autophagy Flux.

Our previous studies have indicated that a novel curcumin derivate nicotinate-curcumin (NC) has beneficial effects on the prevention of atherosclerosis, but the precise mechanisms are not fully understood. Given that autophagy regulates lipid metabolism, the present study was designed to investigate whether NC decreases foam cell formation through restoring autophagy flux in oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL)-treated THP-1 cells. Our results showed that ox-LDL (100 μg/ml) was accumulated in THP-1 cells and impaired autophagy flux.