Assessment of the activity of SRB1 and ABC transporters mediating cholesterol export from foam cells under the influence of oleacein in the aspect of developing new prophylactic strategies in the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis.

The aim of the study will be to broaden the knowledge about oleacein, a compound that has unique properties and can be used in the prevention of both early and late atherosclerotic changes. The planned activities are of basic research nature. Assessment of cholesterol removal from foam cells by the SRB1 receptor and ABC Al transporter as well as ABCG1 transporter will at least partially explain the mechanism of action of oleacein in this area, which is still unresolved. Oleacein present in olive oil, olives and leaves of the European olive as well as the leaves of the native species - the common ligust, shows strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Spectacular studies (US patent 9,682,056 B2) have shown that oleacein, by increasing the expression of macrophage scavenging receptors CD 163 and IL-10 and increasing OH-1 secretion, can reduce intracellular microbleeding and thus prevent plaque rupture [1]. Stabilization of atherosclerotic plaque by oleacein was confirmed in ex vivo studies carried out on atherosclerotic plaques collected from carotid arteries from patients following endarterectomy [2]. Current studies confirm that oleacein regulates the work of scavenger receptors (SRA, CD36, CD68 and LOX-1) responsible for cholesterol uptake by macrophage cells. Reduction of the expression in the above-mentioned receptors may lead to inhibition of foam cell formation, which results from the accumulation of oxidized LDL (oxLDL) by macrophages. Foam cells are the basic building block of the atherosclerotic plaque responsible for the development of atherosclerosis, leading to stroke and / or heart attack and death.