Abstract 3130: Effect Of Fatty Acids And Berberine On Macrophages Lipids Metabolism And Inflammation

Abstract

Dietary fatty acids play a significant role in cardiometabolic health. Recent research indicates that genetic alterations of unsaturated fatty acid metabolism, linked to modulated macrophage function contribute to the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Numerous studies have explored the dietary effects of fatty acids supplementation on macrophage functions. Berberine (BBR) is an isoquinoline alkaloid found in various medicinal herbs. Aims and objectives: The current study is designed to determine the effect of Palmitic acid (PA) and Linoleic acid (LA) supplementation on the macrophage’s lipids metabolism and inflammation. Additionally, this study determines the effect of BBR on the fatty acid’s supplementation on macrophage modulation. Method: Mouse macrophages J774 were cultured using media made of DMEM, 10%FBS and 1% PNS. PA, LA and berberine were dissolved in ethanol separately. Three different concentrations 5ug/ul, 25ug/ul and 50ug/ul of PA and LA were used. Macrophages were first treated with three different concentrations of PA LA each in 6 well plates and then 5uM of berberine was introduced in another set of PA and LA treated cells. Cells and the media were collected after 12hrs and 24hrs for GCMS analysis to determine the uptake of fatty acids and the effect of BBR on the PA and LA metabolism in macrophages. The media and cell samples of only fatty acid treated samples and cells treated with both fatty acids and BBR were processed in a Shimadzu GCMS-QP2010 SE. RNA was isolated from lysed cells and Real Time - qPCR analysis was processed in Bio-Rad RT-PCR to determine the effect of saturated (PA) and polyunsaturated fatty acids on lipids packaging and signaling as well as the resultant inflammation associated with these fatty acids’ uptake and metabolism. Results and Conclusion: BBR differentially inhibited fatty acids uptake by macrophages. The GCMS analysis has shown that BBR aggressively inhibited PA uptake compared to LA uptake by macrophages indicating a selective and preferential mode of action for BBR towards saturated fatty acids linked to atherosclerosis compared to unsaturated fatty acids.