Naringenin ameliorates vascular senescence and atherosclerosis involving SIRT1 activation

Abstract Objectives This study was to explore the potential effects and mechanism of naringenin against vascular senescence in atherosclerosis focusing on the SIRT1-mediated signalling pathway. Methods Aged apoE−/− mice were administrated with naringenin continuously for three months. Lipid parameters in serum and pathological changes and associated protein expression in aorta were examined. In vitro, endothelial cells were treated with H2O2 to induce senescence. Key findings Dyslipidemia, atherosclerotic lesion formation and vascular senescence were found in ApoE−/− mice, which were significantly ameliorated by naringenin treatment. Naringenin decreased reactive oxygen species overproduction and enhanced the activities of antioxidant enzymes in aorta. It also decreased mitoROS production and increased protein expressions of mitochondrial biogenesis-related genes in aorta. Moreover, naringenin treatment enhanced aortic protein expression and activity of SIRT1. Meanwhile, naringenin increased deacetylation and protein expression of SIRT1’s target genes FOXO3a and PGC1α. In vitro study, the benefits of naringenin on endothelial senescence, oxidative stress and mitochondrial injury as well as protein expressions and acetylated levels of FOXO3a and PGC1α were diminished in cells transfected with SIRT1 siRNA. Conclusions Naringenin could ameliorate vascular senescence and atherosclerosis and the activation of SIRT1, with subsequent deacetylation and regulation of FOXO3a and PGC1α, is involved in this process.