Title: Effects of Losartan on Atherosclerosis and Nuciear Factor-κB in the Cholesterol-Fed Rabbits
Abstract: Objective: The current studv was performed to examine the effects of losartan (AT1 rccep-tor antagonist) on the atherosclerosis and nuclear factor-icB in the cholesterol-fed rabbits. Methods: Rabbits were fed with 1.5% cholesterol diet for 12 weeks, and were randomly divided into two groups: (a) con-tinue 1.5% cholesterol diet for 4 weeks; (b) 1.5% cholesterol diet supplemented by losartan ( 10mg/kg per day) for 4 weeks.And control group was fed with normai diet for 16 weeks. Then the arteries were harvested for histomorphometry observation in cluding nuclear factor-κB and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 ( ICAM-1) immunohistochemistry analysis. Results: Rabbits fed with the cholesterol-rich diet showed higher (P0.01) plasma Ievels of lipids than did controls, but blood pressure between two groups did not show significant difference. Trcatment with losartan (10mg/kg per day) did not alter plasma lipids levels or arterial pressure in any group. The area ratio of lesion to intimal was 32.48 ±3.31% in cholesterol-fed rabbits and nonexistent in control rabbits. Treatment with losartan significantlv rcduced the ratio to 11 .52 ±4.16% (P0. 01). The thickness of mtimal lesion also decreased from 51.85 ± 8.42% to 25.38 ± 6.59% (P0.01). The number of nuclear factor-κB and its target gene product ICAM-1 also decreased significantly (P0.05) as a result of losartan trcatment. Conclusion: These results indicate that losartan treatment could reduce atherosclerotic progression to some extent. The mechanism of anti-atherosclegenic by losartan may be related to inhibition of nuclear factor-κ B.
Publication Year: 2002
Publication Date: 2002-01-01
Language: en
Type: article
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