β-Sitosterol Contributes in the Resistance to Invasion and Survival of Brucella abortus 544 within RAW264.7 Cells, and Cytokine Production with Reduced Susceptibility to Infection in BALB/c Mice.

Abstract

We previously identified β-sitosterol (BS) as one of the most abundant compounds found in Korean red ginseng oil. BS is a widely prevalent vegetable-derived phytosterol with many known health benefits. Here, we investigated the efficacy of BS against Brucella (B.) abortus infection. BS showed no effect on bacterial growth but attenuated internalization, intracellular survival and MAPKs-linked intracellular signaling in RAW264.7 cells. BS treatment in cells is also associated with increased nitrite concentration during infection at 24 h. Slightly enhanced resistance to B. abortus infection was observed in mice orally given BS, which could be mediated by induced production of proinflammatory cytokines. Taken together, our study demonstrates the contribution of BS treatment against B. abortus infection although further investigation is encouraged to maximize its beneficial effects against intracellular infection.

• Authors: Alisha Wehdnesday Bernardo Reyes, Lauren Togonon Arayan, Tran Xuan Ngoc Huy, Son Hai Vu, Wongi Min, Jin Hur, Suk Kim
• Journal: Journal of microbiology and biotechnology (J Microbiol Biotechnol) Vol. 30 Issue 4 Pg. 482-489 (Apr 28 2020) ISSN: 1738-8872 [Electronic] Korea (South)
• PMID: 31893609 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Cytokines
• Nitrates
• Sitosterols
• gamma-sitosterol

Topics

• Animals
• Brucella abortus (drug effects, physiology)
• Brucellosis (immunology, prevention & control)
• Cell Survival (drug effects)
• Cytokines (blood)
• Female
• MAP Kinase Signaling System (drug effects)
• Macrophages (drug effects, metabolism, microbiology)
• Mice
• Mice, Inbred BALB C
• Microbial Viability (drug effects)
• Nitrates (metabolism)
• RAW 264.7 Cells
• Sitosterols (administration & dosage, pharmacology)