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Exposure to oxidized low-density lipoprotein in vivo enhances intimal thickening and selectively impairs endothelium-dependent dilation in the rabbit
- Source :
- Cardiovascular Research; January 1998, Vol. 37 Issue: 1 p239-239, 1p
- Publication Year :
- 1998
-
Abstract
- Objectives: Based on in vitro studies, oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) has been implicated in atherogenesis and the associated deficiency in endothelium-dependent relaxation. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of in vivo exposure to oxLDL on intimal thickening and relaxing behaviour. Methods: Intimal thickening was evoked by the placement of silicone collars around the carotid arteries of the rabbit for 3 or 14 days. OxLDL (Cu2+-oxidized, 7 μg/h) or the vehicle phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) was infused in the collars via subdermally implanted osmotic minipumps. Results: The collared vessels receiving PBS developed discrete intimal thickening after 14 days (intima/media (I/M) ratio 11±2%). OxLDL infusion resulted in intimal thickening after 3 days and significantly enhanced the intimal thickness by 14 days (I/M ratio 98±16%). Collaring alone for 3 or 14 days and 3 days exposure to oxLDL did not impair the endothelium-dependent relaxations to acetylcholine or calcium ionophore, nor to the NO donors glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) and S</it>-nitroso-N</it>-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP). However, the sensitivity to acetylcholine was decreased after exposure to oxLDL for 14 days (−logEC<inf>50</inf> oxLDL 6.95±0.11 vs. 7.52±0.11 collar alone) and the maximal relaxation to the endothelium-dependent agonist was reduced by 50%, this in the presence of a virtually intact endothelium. Complete relaxation was still obtained with the nitric oxide donors. Conclusion: Our results show for the first time that local vascular exposure to oxLDL in vivo promotes intimal thickening and inhibits endothelium-dependent dilation, thereby supporting an active role for oxLDL in the morphological and functional changes observed in atherosclerotic blood vessels.
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 00086363 and 17553245
- Volume :
- 37
- Issue :
- 1
- Database :
- Supplemental Index
- Journal :
- Cardiovascular Research
- Publication Type :
- Periodical
- Accession number :
- ejs2430012
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1016/S0008-6363(97)00202-2