Ginsenoside Rb3 reduces ox-LDL-induced injury in human aortic endothelial cells by regulating the miR-513a-5p/ZBTB20 axis

Background. Atherosclerosis (AS) is a common vascular disease, and its main influencing factor is endothelial damage caused by oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL). As one of the main active ingredients of ginseng, ginsenoside Rb3 has anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects. However, the role of ginsenoside Rb3 in endothelial injury induced by ox-LDL is not clear. Objectives. This study aimed to evaluate the effect and potential mechanism of ginsenoside Rb3 action on ox-LDL-treated human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs). Materials and methods. The HAECs treated with ox-LDL were used to establish an in vitro AS model. The viability of the HAECs was analyzed with Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8). Flow cytometry was performed to assess the apoptosis. Oxidative stress, inflammation and endothelial dysfunction were evaluated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and western blotting. The levels of miR-513a-5p were assessed using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). A dual-luciferase assay was performed to analyze the relationship between miR-513a-5p and a zinc finger and BTB domain-containing protein (ZBTB20). Results. Exposure of HAECs to ox-LDL (50 mu g/mL) reduced cell viability, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) expression, while increasing the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), interleukin 6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1). The pretreatment with Rb3 markedly enhanced cell viability and decreased ox-LDL-induced oxidative stress, inflammation and endothelial dysfunction in HAECs. The ox-LDL decreased the level of miR-513a-5p, which was reversed by Rb3 pretreatment. The ZBTB20 was a target of miR-513a-5p in HAECs, and ox-LDL upregulated ZBTB20 expression, which was reversed by Rb3 pretreatment. The protective effect of Rb3 on ox-LDL-induced HAECs was diminished by miR-513a-5p inhibition, which was reversed by ZBTB20 knockdown. Conclusions. Ginsenoside Rb3 reduces the effects of ox-LDL on HAECs by regulating the miR-513a-5p/ZBTB20 axis, which provides a theoretical basis for the treatment of AS.