Notopterol attenuates atherosclerosis by promoting macrophage cholesterol efflux via targeting KEAP1/NRF2 interaction

Key Points

• The research aims to investigate how Notopterol affects atherosclerosis and cholesterol metabolism in macrophages.
• Examined atherosclerotic plaque in apoE-/- mice treated with Notopterol.
• Measured lipid accumulation and lesion area to assess atherosclerosis.
• Analyzed cholesterol efflux in macrophages and expression of specific transporters.
• Studied the interaction between Keap1 and Nrf2 pathways.
• Notopterol significantly reduced atherosclerotic plaque and improved plasma lipids.
• Notopterol enhanced cholesterol efflux in macrophages by increasing ABCA1 and ABCG1 expression.
• Activation of the Nrf2-HO-1 pathway was linked to Notopterol's protective effects against atherosclerosis.
• Notopterol disrupted the Keap1-Nrf2 complex, promoting Nrf2 pathway activation.

Abstract