Human umbilical vein endothelial cells were stimulated with oxLDL, with or without GbE treatment. LOX-1 signaling and MMPs expression were tested by Western blotting or activity assay. Further, protein expression levels of PKC-α, ERK, nuclear factor-κB, and PPAR-γ were investigated by Western blotting.
GbE inhibited the oxLDL-caused upregulation of MMP-1, MMP-2, and MMP-3. Pretreating with GbE reduced oxLDL-activated LOX-1 expression. Furthermore, pharmacologic inhibitors of free radicals, Ca++, PKC, and GbE, inhibited the oxLDL-induced ERK and nuclear factor-κB activation. Lastly, GbE ameliorated the oxLDL-inhibited PPAR-γ function.
Data obtained in this study indicate that GbE actives its protective effects by regulating the LOX-1-mediated PKC-α/ERK/PPAR-γ/MMP pathway, resulting in the suppression of reactive oxygen species formation and, ultimately, the reduction of MMPs expression in endothelial cells treated with oxLDL.