Increased levels of free fatty acid (FFA)-induced endothelial dysfunction
play an important role in the initiation and development of atherosclerosis.
Feprazone is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory compound. However, the
beneficial effects of feprazone on FFA-induced endothelial dysfunction
have not been reported before. In the current study, we found that
treatment with feprazone ameliorated FFA-induced cell death of human
aortic endothelial cells (HAECs) by restoring cell viability and reducing
the release of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). Importantly, we found
that treatment with feprazone ameliorated FFA-induced oxidative stress
by reducing the production of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species
(ROS). In addition, feprazone prevented FFA-induced expression and
secretion of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines, such as chemokine
ligand 5 (CCL5), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-8 (IL-8). We
also found that feprazone decreased the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2
(MMP-2) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9). Interestingly, we
found that feprazone reduced the expression of cell adhesion molecules,
such as vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and intercellular
cell adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1). Our results also demonstrate that
feprazone prevented FFA-induced activation of the toll-like receptor
4 (TLR4)/myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88)/nuclear factor
kappa-B (NF-κB) signaling pathway. These findings suggest that
feprazone might serve as a potential agent for the treatment of atherosclerosis
by improving the endothelial function.