Abstract
The feeding of cholesterol-enriched diet for 2 weeks was enough to reduce nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and interleukin-1 (IL-1) productions in thioglycollate-ellicited murine macrophages. Although not showing anti-hypercholesterolemic action against ICR mice, Shosaikoto, a Kampo medicine, partially prevented the reduction of NO and IL-1 productions induced by the feeding of cholesterol-enriched diet, and completely released the reduction of PGE2 production. These data suggest that the malfunction of macrophage induced by hypercholesterolemia may contribute to early atherogenesis and that Shosaikoto retains macrophage function to preveny the development of atherosclerosis, even though serum cholesterol is markedly increased.
