Aims: Phytochemicals such as flavonoids, vitamins, and polyphenols have been shown to have beneficial effects in metabolic disease. To determine if select flavonoids regulate hepatic apolipoprotein A-I (apo A-I) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) synthesis, we examined the effects of quercetin, isoquercetin, and myrescetin on apo A-I gene expression in HepG2 (hepatocytes) and Caco-2 (intestinal) cells.
Main methods: Apo A-I gene expression was measured by Western blotting, quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction, and transient transfection. Estrogen receptor α (ESR1) and estrogen receptor β expression were measured by Western blotting, and ESR1 expression was inhibited using ESR1-specific short inhibitory RNA (siRNA).
Key findings: Quercetin and isoquercetin, but not myrecetin, induced apo A-I protein and mRNA synthesis, and induced apo A-I promoter activity. Induction by quercetin required an estrogen-responsive region of the apo A-I promoter. Addition of estrogen receptor blocker ICI-182780 to quercetin-treated cells inhibited the effects of quercetin on apo A-I gene expression. Down-regulation of ESR1 with ESR1 siRNA had no effect on basal apo A-I gene expression; however it prevented quercetin-mediated induction of apo A-I gene expression.
Significance: We conclude that quercetin induces apo A-I gene expression at least in part through induction of ESR1 and may be useful in treating hypoalphalipoproteinemia.
Keywords: Coronary artery disease; Estrogen; Hepatocyte; High-density lipoprotein; Phytosterol.
Copyright © 2014. Published by Elsevier Inc.