Effects of statins on the secretion of human serum albumin in cultured HepG2 cells

Abstract

Statins reduce cholesterol biosynthesis by inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase and thereby lower total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels in serum, which in turn lower the incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Statins are also known to modulate various cellular functions such as gene expression, cell proliferation, and programmed cell death through inhibition of downstream intermediates in cholesterol synthesis. In this study, we have investigated the possible effects of statins on the secretion of serum albumin from cultured HepG2 cells since high levels of serum albumin are associated with reduced risks for CVD and statins are effective in lowering the risk of CVD through other effects in addition to their effects on serum total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels, known as pleiotropic effects. Our results showed that simvastatin increased HSA secretion up to 32.3% compared to the control group. Among 3 statin analogs we tested, simvastatin exhibited the highest stimulatory effects on HSA secretion compared to the control group. Our study also showed that the increased HSA secretions from HepG2 cells by simvastatin treatments were due to the increased rate of HSA synthesis, not due to the reduced posttranslational degradation rate of HSA. Our finding suggests another added benefit of statins' treatments in preventing CVD through stimulation of HSA biosynthesis.

TAT‐MTS‐MCM fusion proteins reduce MMA levels and improve mitochondrial activity and liver function in MCM‐deficient cells

“…Furthermore, the different MTSs may affect the cleavage and dimerization of the protein and therefore its activity as well. As the TAT‐MTS‐MCM fusion proteins enhanced various mitochondria characteristics, such as ATP levels, oxygen consumption and mitochondrial membrane potential, we could conclude that the mitochondria play a major role in the pathology of MMA, confirming other reports .…”

Chemically crosslinked alginate porous microcarriers modified with bioactive molecule for expansion of human hepatocellular carcinoma cells

“…In the process of cell expansion, it is crucial to ensure that the expanded cells maintain their physiological functions. Albumin secretion capacity can be used as a way to evaluate the quality of liver‐like cells and to reflect their activity . In this study, the concentration of albumin secreted into the supernatant was measured for cells grown in different microcarriers.…”

Albumin is a better predictor of outcomes than body mass index following coronary artery bypass grafting

“…20 A vast majority of cardiovascular surgery patients receive statin therapy, which in addition to reducing HMG-CoA, have also been shown to stimulate albumin secretion from hepatocytes. 21 Furthermore, albumin participates in cholesterol efflux from peripheral tissues and contributes to the overall cholesterol efflux along with contributions from high-density lipoproteins. Analyses from 14,571 cardiac surgery patients between 1992 and 2005 found that extremely obese patients (BMI ≥45kg/m 2 ) have higher perioperative morbidity and mortality compared with a lower BMI group (BMI 24 – 34.9kg/m 2 ).…”