Abstract
Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease that can cause acute cardiovascular events. Activation of the NOD-like receptor family, pyrin domain containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome enhances atherogenesis, which links lipid metabolism to sterile inflammation. This study examines the impact of an endogenous metabolite, namely ketone body 3-hydroxybutyrate (3-HB), on a mouse model of atherosclerosis. It is found that daily oral administration of 3-HB can significantly ameliorate atherosclerosis. Mechanistically, 3-HB is found to reduce the M1 macrophage proportion and promote cholesterol efflux by acting on macrophages through its receptor G-protein-coupled receptor 109a (Gpr109a). 3-HB-Gpr109a signaling promotes extracellular calcium (Ca2+) influx. The elevation of intracellular Ca2+ level reduces the release of Ca2+ from the endothelium reticulum (ER) to mitochondria, thus inhibits ER stress triggered by ER Ca2+ store depletion. As NLRP3 inflammasome can be activated by ER stress, 3-HB can inhibit the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome, which triggers the increase of M1 macrophage proportion and the inhibition of cholesterol efflux. It is concluded that daily nutritional supplementation of 3-HB attenuates atherosclerosis in mice.