Interestingly enough, propolis also shows strong apoptotic (programmed cell death) activity. As a beekeeper, I welcome bee stings as a natural booster shot for my immune system. Fortunately, bee stings stimulate the body locally and systemically...
Treatment with
apamin significantly decreased the apoptotic macrophages by decreasing the
expression of pro-apoptotic genes Bax, caspase-3 and PARP protein levels, as well
as through increasing expression of anti-apoptotic genes Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL
protein levels in the absence and presence of oxLDL. In vivo, with apamin
treatment reduced apoptotic cells death by TUNEL staining.
These results indicate that apamin plays an important
role in monocyte/macrophage apoptotic processing, which may provide a potential
drug for preventing atherosclerosis.
Apamin
Inhibits THP-1-Derived Macrophage Apoptosis Via Mitochondria-Related Apoptotic
Pathway
Exp MolPathol, 2012 Apr 17
The
development of atherosclerotic lesions is mainly due to macrophage death. The
oxidative stresses of monocytes/macrophages play a vital role in the initiation
and amplification of atherosclerosis.
Apamin, a
component of bee venom, exerts an anti-inflammatory effect, and selectively
inhibits the Ca(2+)-activated K(+) channels. The mechanisms involved in the
inhibition of macrophage apoptosis have been fully elucidated.
We induced
oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) in THP-1-derived macrophage and
studied the effect of apamin on intercellular lipid levels,
mitochondria-related apoptotic pathway and numbers of apoptotic cells. Oil-red
O staining indicates that the inhibition of apamin in the condition
significantly prevents intracellular lipid deposition.
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