Abstract
Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) are one of the sources of foam cells in atherosclerosis. However, the mechanism of VSMC-derived foam cell formation remain largely unknown. Bisdemethoxycurcumin (BDMC) is considered to possess diverse pharmacological properties, including anti-inflammation and anti-oxidation. However, the effects of BDMC on atherosclerosis remain unclear. Here, we established an in vitro foam cell model by culturing VSMCs with oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL). The results show that BDMC reduced lipid droplets in ox-LDL-stimulated VSMCs. In addition, BDMC promotes autophagy by suppressing PDK1/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway. In vivo, BDMC alleviates inflammatory responses and lipid accumulation in in apoe-/- mice. Above all, the results from the present study suggested that BDMC may be used as a therapeutic agent for the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis.