Abstract
We explored whether pu-erh tea consumption ameliorates atherosclerosis and the possible mechanism for its effects in apolipoprotein E-deficient (ApoE−/−) mice. Our data showed that pu-erh tea consumption markedly reduced early fatty streak formation and the advanced fibrofatty plaque sizes. Additionally, the mean proportion of inflammatory macrophages in the plaque decreased, and the number of apoptotic macrophages increased significantly. NF-κB activity in peritoneal macrophages decreased by 75.6% compared to the controls, similar with the levels of IL-6, IL-12, and TNF-α expression. The tea extract increased the apoptosis of RAW264.7 cells by decreasing NF-κB activation and reducing the inflammatory cytokine expression. In conclusion, pu-erh tea ameliorates atherosclerosis progress by alleviating the chronic inflammatory state by reducing NF-κB activation and promoting macrophage apoptosis in atherosclerotic plaques.
Highlights
In recent years, atherosclerosis has been considered a chronic inflammatory disease [1]
Previous studies have shown that macrophage apoptosis plays an important role in atherosclerosis progress, and when macrophage apoptosis decreased in the arterial plaques, the atherosclerosis accelerated [5, 6]
Pu-erh Tea Consumption Reduced Early Fatty Streak Formation and Advanced Fibrofatty Plaque Progression in ApoE Null Mice, No Effect Was Observed on the Physiological Parameters
Summary
Atherosclerosis has been considered a chronic inflammatory disease [1]. In cases of low-grade inflammation and under the effects of various cytokines, circulating monocytes continue to adhere to the vascular endothelium, roll and migrate into the arterial endothelium, convert into macrophages, and eventually to foam cells [2]. Fermented black tea is known to modulate blood lipids and provide anti-inflammatory effects and protection against antioxidative stress [7,8,9,10]. Pu-erh tea, a black tea produced in Yunnan, China, is a postfermented (secondary fermentation) tea made from the large sundried, raw, green Yunnan leaves. It has been suggested that pu-erh tea might be useful in the treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases, including atherosclerosis. No studies have reported if the habitual drinking of pu-erh tea has beneficial effects on atherosclerosis
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