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Leoligin, the major lignan from Edelweiss, activates cholesteryl ester transfer protein.

ABSTRACT: OBJECTIVE: Cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) plays a central role in the metabolism of high-density lipoprotein particles. Therefore, we searched for new drugs that bind to CETP and modulate its activity. METHODS: A preliminary pharmacophore-based parallel screening approach indicated that leoligin, a major lignan of Edelweiss (Leontopodium alpinum Cass.), might bind to CETP. Therefore we incubated leoligin ex vivo at different concentrations with human (n=20) and rabbit plasma (n=3), and quantified the CETP activity by fluorimeter. Probucol served as positive control. Furthermore, we dosed CETP transgenic mice with leoligin and vehicle control by oral gavage for 7 days and measured subsequently the in vivo modulation of CETP activity (n=5 for each treatment group). RESULTS: In vitro, leoligin significantly activated CETP in human plasma at 100 pM (p=0.023) and 1 nM (p=0.042), respectively, whereas leoligin concentrations of 1 mM inhibited CETP activity (p=0.012). The observed CETP activation was not species specific, as it was similar in magnitude for rabbit CETP. In vivo, there was also a higher CETP activity after oral dosage of CETP transgenic mice with leoligin (p=0.015). There was no short-term toxicity apparent in mice treated with leoligin. CONCLUSION: CETP agonism by leoligin appears to be safe and effective, and may prove to be a useful modality to alter high-density lipoprotein metabolism.

SUBMITTER: Duwensee K

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3212649 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Leoligin, the major lignan from Edelweiss, activates cholesteryl ester transfer protein.

Duwensee Kristina K Schwaiger Stefan S Tancevski Ivan I Eller Kathrin K van Eck Miranda M Markt Patrick P Linder Tobias T Stanzl Ursula U Ritsch Andreas A Patsch Josef R JR Schuster Daniela D Stuppner Hermann H Bernhard David D Eller Philipp P

Atherosclerosis 20110721 1

<h4>Objective</h4>Cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) plays a central role in the metabolism of high-density lipoprotein particles. Therefore, we searched for new drugs that bind to CETP and modulate its activity.<h4>Methods</h4>A preliminary pharmacophore-based parallel screening approach indicated that leoligin, a major lignan of Edelweiss (Leontopodium alpinum Cass.), might bind to CETP. Therefore we incubated leoligin ex vivo at different concentrations with human (n=20) and rabbit pla ...[more]

PMID: 21820657

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Project description:In almost 30 years since the introduction of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins), no other class of lipid modulators has entered the market. Elevation of high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) via inhibiting cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) is an attractive strategy for reducing the risk of cardiovascular events in high-risk patients. Transfer of triglyceride and cholesteryl ester (CE) between lipoproteins is mediated by CETP; thus inhibition of this pathway can increase the concentration of HDL-C. Torcetrapib was the first CETP inhibitor evaluated in phase III clinical trials. Because of off-target effects, torcetrapib raised blood pressure and increased the concentration of serum aldosterone, leading to higher cardiovascular events and mortality. Torcetrapib showed positive effects on cardiovascular risk especially in patients with a greater increase in HDL-C and apolipoprotein A-1 (apoA-1) levels. The phase III clinical trial of dalcetrapib, the second CETP inhibitor that has entered clinical development, was terminated because of ineffectiveness. Dalcetrapib is a CETP modulator that elevated HDL-C levels but did not reduce the concentration of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). Both heterotypic and homotypic CE transfer between lipoproteins are mediated by some CETP inhibitors, including torcetrapib, anacetrapib, and evacetrapib, while dalcetrapib only affects the heterotypic CE transfer. Dalcetrapib has a chemical structure that is distinct from other CETP inhibitors, with a smaller molecular weight and a lack of trifluoride moieties. Moreover, dalcetrapib is a pro-drug that must be hydrolyzed to a pharmacologically active thiol form. Two other CETP inhibitors, anacetrapib and evacetrapib, are currently undergoing evaluation in phase III clinical trials. Both molecules have shown beneficial effects by increasing HDL-C and decreasing LDL-C concentration. The success of anacetrapib and evacetrapib remains to be confirmed upon the completion of phase III clinical trials in 2017 and 2015, respectively. Generally, the concentration of HDL-C has been considered a biomarker for the activity of CETP inhibitors. However, it is not clear whether a fundamental relationship exists between HDL-C levels and the risk of coronary artery diseases. The most crucial role for HDL is cholesterol efflux capacity in which HDL can reverse transport cholesterol from foam cells in atherosclerotic plaques. In view of the heterogeneity in HDL particle size, charge, and composition, the mere concentration of HDL-C may not be a good surrogate marker for HDL functionality. Recent clinical studies have reported that increased HDL functionality inversely correlates with the development of atherosclerotic plaque. Future development of CETP inhibitors may therefore benefit from the use of biomarkers of HDL functionality.

Dataset Information

Leoligin, the major lignan from Edelweiss, activates cholesteryl ester transfer protein.

Publications

Leoligin, the major lignan from Edelweiss, activates cholesteryl ester transfer protein.

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