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Schisandrin A in Schisandra chinensis Upregulates the LDL Receptor by Inhibiting PCSK9 Protein Stabilization in Steatotic Model.

Journal of microbiology and biotechnology
February 28, 2024
Hyo-Jin Kim et al. (7 authors)
Journal ArticleAnimal StudyMolecular Study
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to determine whether Schisandra chinensis extract (SCE) and its active component schisandrin A (SA) could reduce cholesterol levels by inhibiting PCSK9 and upregulating LDLR expression.

Results Summary

SCE supplementation attenuated increases in blood LDL cholesterol and liver enzymes caused by a Western diet in mice, while SA reduced PCSK9 protein levels and increased LDLR expression in HepG2 cells. The effects were linked to PCSK9 protein degradation rather than reduced gene expression.

Population

Male mice fed a Western diet and HepG2 cells treated with delipidated serum.

Effective Dosage

1% SCE in diet for mice; non-toxic concentrations of SA for HepG2 cells (specific amounts not provided).

Duration

12 weeks for mice; cell study duration not specified.

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (12)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
Schisandra chinensis extract (SCE)
decrease
hypocholesterolemia
-
-
protects against
#1
Western diet (WD)
increase
final body weight
Male mice
-
increased
#2
Western diet (WD)
increase
blood LDL cholesterol levels
Male mice
-
increased
#3
Western diet (WD)
increase
alanine transaminase and aspartate aminotransferase expression
Male mice
-
increased
#4
SCE supplementation
decrease
blood markers caused by WD
Male mice
-
significantly attenuated the increase
#5
SCE
decrease
WD-mediated increases in hepatic LDLR protein expression
obese mice
-
attenuated
#6
SCE
increase
LDLR protein expression
HepG2 cells supplemented with delipidated serum (DLPS)
-
increased
#7
SCE
decrease
cellular PCSK9 levels
HepG2 cells supplemented with delipidated serum (DLPS)
-
attenuated
#8
schisandrin A (SA)
increase
LDLR expression
DLPS-treated HepG2 cells
-
significantly increased
#9
schisandrin A (SA)
decrease
PCSK9 protein levels
DLPS-treated HepG2 cells
-
tended to decrease
#10
SA treatment
decrease
PCSK9 secretion
-
-
significantly reduced
#11
SA treatment
decrease
free cholesterol levels
-
-
contributing to reductions
#12
Abstract

Schisandra chinensis extract (SCE) protects against hypocholesterolemia by inhibiting proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin 9 (PCSK9) protein stabilization. We hypothesized that the hypocholesterolemic activity of SCE can be attributable to upregulation of the PCSK9 inhibition-associated low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR). Male mice were fed a low-fat diet or a Western diet (WD) containing SCE at 1% for 12 weeks. WD increased final body weight and blood LDL cholesterol levels as well as alanine transaminase and aspartate aminotransferase expression. However, SCE supplementation significantly attenuated the increase in blood markers caused by WD. SCE also attenuated WD-mediated increases in hepatic LDLR protein expression in the obese mice. In addition, SCE increased LDLR protein expression and attenuated cellular PCSK9 levels in HepG2 cells supplemented with delipidated serum (DLPS). Non-toxic concentrations of schisandrin A (SA), one of the active components of SCE, significantly increased LDLR expression and tended to decrease PCSK9 protein levels in DLPS-treated HepG2 cells. High levels of SA-mediated PCSK9 attenuation was not attributable to reduced PCSK9 gene expression, but was associated with free PCSK9 protein degradation in this cell model. Our findings show that PCSK9 secretion can be significantly reduced by SA treatment, contributing to reductions in free cholesterol levels.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
MaleMiceAnimalsHumansProprotein Convertase 9SchisandraSerine EndopeptidasesSubtilisinProprotein ConvertasesReceptors, LDLHep G2 CellsFatty LiverPolycyclic CompoundsLignansCyclooctanes
Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy85/10
Quality75/10
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.05
Weight Score1.17
Normalized Score0.69
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