Miltefosine attenuates inflammation, reduces atherosclerosis, and alters gut microbiota in hyperlipidemic mice

Abstract

Excess cholesterol induces foam cell formation, NLRP3 inflammasome activation, and IL-1β release in atherosclerotic plaques. We have shown previously that Miltefosine increased cholesterol release and dampened NLRP3 inflammasome assembly in macrophages. Here, we show that Miltefosine reduced LPS-induced choline uptake by macrophages and attenuated NLRP3 inflammasome assembly in mice. Miltefosine-fed mice showed reduced plasma IL-1β in a polymicrobial cecal slurry injection model of systemic inflammation. Miltefosine-fed mice showed increased reverse cholesterol transport from macrophages to plasma, liver, and feces. Hyperlipidemic apoE-/- mice fed with Miltefosine showed significantly reduced weight gain and markedly reduced atherosclerotic lesions vs. control mice. 16S rDNA sequencing and analysis showed alterations in the gut microbiota profile of Miltefosine-fed hyperlipidemic apoE-/- vs. control mice, with the most notable changes in Romboutsia and Bacteroidetes species. Taken together, these data indicate that Miltefosine causes pleiotropic effects on lipid metabolism, inflammasome activity, atherosclerosis, and the gut microbiota.