Quercetin and its metabolites improve vessel function by inducing eNOS activity via phosphorylation of AMPK.

Quercetin is a major flavonoid in a wide range of fruits and vegetables. Consumption of quercetin may contribute to a reduction in risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Following ingestion, flavonoids are metabolized rapidly by methylation or glucuronidation, which can alter their biological activity.

Dyslipidemic diabetic serum increases lipid accumulation and expression of stearoyl-CoA desaturase in human macrophages.

Type 2 diabetes and dyslipidemia are risk factors for cardiovascular disease. However, mechanisms by which hypertriglyceridemia influences atherogenesis remain unclear. We examined effects of dyslipidemic diabetic serum on macrophage lipid accumulation as a model of foam cell formation.

Modulation of macrophage fatty acid content and composition by exposure to dyslipidemic serum in vitro.

Macrophages in arterial walls accumulate lipids leading to the development of atherosclerotic plaques. However, mechanisms underlying macrophage lipid accumulation and foam cell formation are often studied without accounting for risk factors such as dyslipidemia. We investigated the effect of varying concentrations of triglyceride (TG) within physiological range on macrophage fatty acid (FA) accumulation and expression of cholesterol efflux proteins.