The Protective Effect of Bergamot Oil Extract on Lecitine-like OxyLDL Receptor-1 Expression in Balloon Injury-related Neointima Formation

Abstract

Lectin-like oxyLDL receptor-1 (LOX-1) has recently been suggested to be involved in smooth muscle cell (SMC) proliferation and neointima formation in injured blood vessels. This study evaluates the effect of the nonvolatile fraction (NVF), the antioxidant component of bergamot essential oil (BEO), on LOX-1 expression and free radical generation in a model of rat angioplasty. Common carotid arteries injured by balloon angioplasty were removed after 14 days for histopathological, biochemical, and immunohistochemical studies. Balloon injury led to a significant restenosis with SMC proliferation and neointima formation, accompanied by increased expression of LOX-1 receptor, malondialdehyde and superoxide formation, and nitrotyrosine staining. Pretreatment of rats with BEO-NVF reduced the neointima proliferation together with free radical formation and LOX-1 expression in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest that natural antioxidants may be relevant in the treatment of vascular disorders in which proliferation of SMCs and oxyLDL-related endothelial cell dysfunction are involved.

Oxidized LDL attenuates protective autophagy and induces apoptotic cell death of endothelial cells: Role of oxidative stress and LOX-1 receptor expression

“…Moreover, recent evidence proposes a direct correlation between LOX-1 activation and free radical-induced apoptosis of endothelial cells. On the other hand, the modulation of oxidative stress via both endogenous as well as exogenous antioxidants prevents apoptotic cell death, an effect which occurs via concomitant modulation of LOX-1 [6,10,22]. This has been proven by using pterostilbene, a naturally occurring analogue of antioxidant resveratrol, which has been shown to inhibit oxyLDL-induced apoptosis of endothelial cells from the umbilical vein by down-regulating LOX-1 expression and thereby suppressing intracellular oxidative stress [32].…”

“…LOX-1 is highly modulated by stimuli which have been shown to play a role in the development and progression of atherosclerosis, such as cytokines, mechanical forces, angiotensin II, oxidative stress and directly by the occurrence of oxyLDL [7,8,10]. At the final stages of atherogenesis, clear evidence shows that oxyLDL, possibly via overexpression of LOX-1, contributes to the development of apoptotic cell death of endothelial cells [11,12].…”

Study on the chemical composition variability of some processed bergamot (Citrus bergamia) essential oils

“…The essential oil, produced today by means of the so-called 'Pelatrice' machines, is very appreciated for its organoleptic properties and is used mainly in the perfumery and pharmaceutical industries. Much attention is also paid to the biological activity of Citrus bergamia essential oil, which is exerted upon the central nervous and cardiovascular systems [1,2] and on antimicrobial activity against a number of common pathogens. [3,4] The colour of the oil ranges from green to dark yellow, corresponding to the beginning and end of the productive season.…”

Synergistic in vitro antioxidant activity and observational clinical trial of F105, a phytochemical formulation includingCitrus bergamia, in subjects with moderate cardiometabolic risk factors

“…While this fruit is primarily used in the fragrance industry for its essential oil extracted from its peel, recent studies on the juice from the endocarp of bergamot have shown that it has several bioactivities such as antioxidant, antiinflammatory, cytotoxic, neuroprotective, as well as hypolipidemic and hypoglycemic properties (Currò et al 2016;Impellizzeri et al 2015;Miceli et al 2007;Mollace et al 2008;Risitano et al 2014;Sicari et al 2016;Trovato et al 2010;Tundis et al 2012). From clinical and mechanistic studies, it has been proposed (Mollace et al 2011) that melitidine and brutieridine in concert with naringin and other flavonone glycosides might be responsible for the hypolipidemic effects of BFE and function as do the statin drugs through the direct action on 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl -coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase activity.…”