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Qin X, Wang Q, Xu D, Sun Y, Xu W, Wang B, Yang Z, Hao L. Atorvastatin exerts dual effects of lesion regression and ovarian protection in the prevention and treatment of endometriosis. Eur J Pharmacol 2024; 964:176261. [PMID: 38141938 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2023.176261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Revised: 12/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/25/2023]
Abstract
Endometriosis is a frequent, chronic, estrogen-dependent and inflammatory gynecological disease leading to pain and infertility. Clinical and metabolic studies reveal that patients with endometriosis are susceptible to hyperlipemia and lipid dysfunction, putting them at ascending risk of cardiovascular diseases. Statins constitute a group of cholesterol-lowering drugs with pleiotropic effects. A plethora of researches have proved their ability to inhibit the growth of ectopic lesions in endometriosis. However, concerns exist about their possible adverse effects on ovarian function. This study aimed to investigate the possible effect of atorvastatin on the ovarian endocrine function and fertility capacity in the prevention and treatment of endometriosis. Here, 5 mg/kg atorvastatin was intraperitoneally injected to the endometriosis mice once a day for consecutive fourteen days during and after the development of endometriotic implants. The results indicated that atorvastatin not only led to regression of the ectopic lesions, but also caused no discernible harm to the ovary for both the preventive and the therapeutic models. In addition, it elicited a protective effect on the ovarian reserve and fertility possibly by reducing inflammation in the ovary. Hence, atorvastatin could be a promising drug for endometriosis prevention and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xian Qin
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women and Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 401147, China; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chongqing Health Center for Women and Children, Chongqing 401147, China
| | - Qian Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women and Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 401147, China; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chongqing Health Center for Women and Children, Chongqing 401147, China
| | - Dongmei Xu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women and Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 401147, China; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chongqing Health Center for Women and Children, Chongqing 401147, China
| | - Yixuan Sun
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women and Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 401147, China; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chongqing Health Center for Women and Children, Chongqing 401147, China
| | - Wandong Xu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women and Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 401147, China; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chongqing Health Center for Women and Children, Chongqing 401147, China
| | - Bo Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women and Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 401147, China; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chongqing Health Center for Women and Children, Chongqing 401147, China
| | - Zhu Yang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400010, China
| | - Lijuan Hao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women and Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 401147, China; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chongqing Health Center for Women and Children, Chongqing 401147, China.
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Lee Y, Kim BR, Kang GH, Lee GJ, Park YJ, Kim H, Jang HC, Choi SH. The Effects of PPAR Agonists on Atherosclerosis and Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in ApoE-/-FXR-/- Mice. Endocrinol Metab (Seoul) 2021; 36:1243-1253. [PMID: 34986301 PMCID: PMC8743579 DOI: 10.3803/enm.2021.1100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Farnesoid X receptor (FXR), a bile acid-activated nuclear receptor, is a potent regulator of glucose and lipid metabolism as well as of bile acid metabolism. Previous studies have demonstrated that FXR deficiency is associated with metabolic derangements, including atherosclerosis and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), but its mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the role of FXR in atherosclerosis and NAFLD and the effect of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) agonists in mouse models with FXR deficiency. METHODS En face lipid accumulation analysis, liver histology, serum levels of glucose and lipids, and mRNA expression of genes related to lipid metabolism were compared between apolipoprotein E (ApoE)-/- and ApoE-/-FXR-/- mice. The effects of PPARα and PPARγ agonists were also compared in both groups of mice. RESULTS Compared with ApoE-/- mice, ApoE-/-FXR-/- mice showed more severe atherosclerosis, hepatic steatosis, and higher levels of serum cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglycerides, accompanied by increased mRNA expression of FAS, ApoC2, TNFα, IL-6 (liver), ATGL, TGH, HSL, and MGL (adipocytes), and decreased mRNA expressions of CPT2 (liver) and Tfam (skeletal muscle). Treatment with a PPARα agonist, but not with a PPARγ agonist, partly reversed atherosclerosis and hepatic steatosis, and decreased plasma triglyceride levels in the ApoE-/-FXR-/- mice, in association with increased mRNA expression of CD36 and FATP and decreased expression of ApoC2 and ApoC3 (liver). CONCLUSION Loss of FXR is associated with aggravation of atherosclerosis and hepatic steatosis in ApoE-deficient mice, which could be reversed by a PPARα agonist through induction of fatty acid uptake, β-oxidation, and triglyceride hydrolysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yenna Lee
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Korea
| | - Bo-Rahm Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Korea
| | - Geun-Hyung Kang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Korea
| | - Gwan Jae Lee
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Korea
| | - Young Joo Park
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Haeryoung Kim
- Department of Pathology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hak Chul Jang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Korea
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sung Hee Choi
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Korea
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- Corresponding author: Sung Hee Choi Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 82 Gumi-ro 173beon-gil, Bundang-gu, Seongnam 13620, Korea Tel: +82-31-787-7029, Fax: +82-31-787-4052, E-mail:
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Lipid lowering therapy in cardiovascular disease: From myth to molecular reality. Pharmacol Ther 2020; 213:107592. [PMID: 32492513 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2020.107592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2020] [Accepted: 05/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Lipid-lowering therapy is one major cornerstone of medical treatment of cardiovascular disease in order to modulate atherosclerosis. Statins, ezetimibe and novel PCSK9-inhibitors are already recommended in current guidelines and were shown to improve lipid profiles and have positive effects on the rate of ischemic events and cardiovascular mortality. Recent studies suggest that the concept of "The lower the better" might be valid at least regarding low density lipoproteins. In addition, lowering lipoprotein (a) still displays a major challenge in lipid therapy. Furthermore, also lowering triglycerides seems to improve cardiovascular outcome. Regarding triglycerides, icosapent ethyl, a polyunsaturated fatty acid recently attracted attention showing cardiovascular risk reduction due to triglyceride lowering. Therefore, new therapeutic strategies and drug classes are eagerly awaited. Targeting LDL, bempedoic acid and the siRNA inclisiran provide promising results. Moreover, regarding TG a monoclonal antibody called evinacumab and an antisense-oligonucleotide against ANGPTL3 showed effective TG-lowering. At least, using antisense-oligonucleotides against ApoC-III and Lp(a) resulted in promising outcomes. In this review, current and future options for lipid management are presented depending on different drug classes.
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Chen Q, Xiang J, Gong R, Fang HY, Xu CC, Zhang HZ, Wu YQ. Atorvastatin downregulates HSP22 expression in an atherosclerotic model in vitro and in vivo. Int J Mol Med 2018; 43:821-829. [PMID: 30535427 PMCID: PMC6317682 DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2018.4015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2016] [Accepted: 06/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
One of the pathological functions of heat shock protein 22 (HSP22) is the association with inflammatory diseases and atherosclerosis. However, the effects of a high-fat diet (HFD) or oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) combined with atorvastatin (ATV) on HSP22 expression are entirely unknown. The present study investigated the effects of ATV on HSP22 expression in HFD-induced atherosclerotic apolipoprotein E-deficient (ApoE−/−) mice and in ox-LDL-induced human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Furthermore, the influence of HSP22-knockdown on the HFD- or ox-LDL-induced atherosclerotic model was also examined. It was found that HFD or ox-LDL treatment significantly increased HSP22 expression in the serum and aorta, accompanied by decreased phosphorylated (p)-endothelial nitric oxide synthase (p-eNOS) activity and activated p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). However, these effects were suppressed by treatment with ATV. Furthermore, HSP22-knockdown showed reduced ox-LDL-induced lesions, evidenced by increased p-eNOS activity and inactivated p38 MAPK, while suppression of cell proliferation inhibition and cell cycle arrest were also observed. Taken together, the results of this study suggest that HFD or ox-LDL increased the expression of HSP22 and p-p38 MAPK, and decreased the p-eNOS activity in vitro and in vivo, and ATV could reduce the effects by downregulating HSP22 expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Chen
- Department of Cardiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P.R. China
| | - Jian Xiang
- Department of Cardiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P.R. China
| | - Ren Gong
- Department of Cardiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P.R. China
| | - Hai-Yang Fang
- Department of Cardiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P.R. China
| | - Cong-Cong Xu
- Department of Cardiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P.R. China
| | - Hong-Zhou Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P.R. China
| | - Yan-Qing Wu
- Department of Cardiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P.R. China
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Wei W, Clockaerts S, Bastiaansen-Jenniskens YM, Gierman LM, Botter SM, Bierma-Zeinstra SMA, Weinans H, Verhaar JAN, Kloppenburg M, Zuurmond AM, van Osch GJVM. Statins and fibrates do not affect development of spontaneous cartilage damage in STR/Ort mice. Osteoarthritis Cartilage 2014; 22:293-301. [PMID: 24280247 DOI: 10.1016/j.joca.2013.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2013] [Revised: 11/05/2013] [Accepted: 11/15/2013] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Since statins and fibrates are capable of improving the metabolic profile of patients as well as decreasing inflammation, they are considered as potential drugs for preventing osteoarthritis (OA). The goal of the present study was to investigate the effect of these drugs in the STR/Ort spontaneous OA mouse model. DESIGN Male STR/Ort mice received control diet or control diet containing two different dosages of simvastatin or fenofibrate or a combination of both. Mice were euthanized after 16 weeks of treatment at the age of 24 weeks. Serum analysis for metabolic and inflammatory markers, histologic OA grading and micro computed tomography (μCT) analysis of subchondral bone plate were performed. RESULTS Simvastatin treatment did not have a statistically significant effect on any of the measured parameters. Fenofibrate treated mice gained less body weight (BW) and had lower serum amyloid A (SAA) levels, but higher Interleukin (IL)-1α and MIP1α than other mice. Mice treated with 200 mg/kg BW/day fenofibrate had less subchondral bone plate volume than control, but no statistically significant reduction in cartilage damage. In the combination treatment group, BW and SAA were lower than control. Overall, bodyweight, synovium membrane cell layers and SAA levels correlated to subchondral bone plate changes and subchondral bone plate changes correlated to cartilage damage. CONCLUSIONS Statins and fibrates did not affect development of cartilage damage in the STR/Ort spontaneous OA mouse model. Fenofibrates however, had an effect on BW, serum inflammation markers and subchondral bone plate morphology.
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Affiliation(s)
- W Wei
- Department of Orthopaedics, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - S Clockaerts
- Department of Orthopaedics, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Orthopaedics, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.
| | | | - L M Gierman
- TNO, Leiden, The Netherlands; Department of Rheumatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.
| | - S M Botter
- Laboratory for Orthopedic Research, Department of Orthopedics, Balgrist University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - S M A Bierma-Zeinstra
- Department of Orthopaedics, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Department of General Practice, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - H Weinans
- Department of Orthopaedics, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Biomechanical Engineering, Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands; Department of Orthopaedics, Utrecht University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - J A N Verhaar
- Department of Orthopaedics, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - M Kloppenburg
- Department of Rheumatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.
| | | | - G J V M van Osch
- Department of Orthopaedics, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
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Korou LMA, Doulamis IP, Tzanetakou IP, Mikhailidis DP, Perrea DN. The effect of biological age on the metabolic responsiveness of mice fed a high-fat diet. Lab Anim 2013; 47:241-4. [DOI: 10.1177/0023677213480768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Mice are widely used in studies investigating the effect of diet on metabolic risk factors, such as lipid profiles and plasma glucose levels. An important factor that is usually not taken into account is the biological age of the experimental models. The up-to-date identified experimental confounders do not cover all the parameters that may affect the results of animal studies. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a high-fat diet on the metabolic profile, hepatic and renal function in mice of differing ages. For this purpose two groups of male C57BL/6J mice were used, consisting of 10-week-old mice and 54-week-old mice in each group. Both groups followed identical high-fat diets for 12 weeks. The younger mice showed smaller increases in body weight, serum total cholesterol, glucose and urea levels while they had higher increases in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels than the older mice. Our results indicate the necessity to consider an experimental animal’s age as a confounding factor when researching or interpreting metabolic studies. Age adjustment is warranted in all animal research while a uniform approach regarding the age of the animal models should be applied in experimental studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laskarina-Maria A Korou
- Laboratory for Experimental Surgery and Surgical Research ‘N. S. Christeas’, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Ilias P Doulamis
- Laboratory for Experimental Surgery and Surgical Research ‘N. S. Christeas’, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Irene P Tzanetakou
- Laboratory for Experimental Surgery and Surgical Research ‘N. S. Christeas’, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Dimitri P Mikhailidis
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Royal Free Hospital Campus, University College London Medical School, University College London, London, UK
| | - Despina N Perrea
- Laboratory for Experimental Surgery and Surgical Research ‘N. S. Christeas’, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
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Kishino Y, Tanaka Y, Ikeda T, Yamamoto K, Ogawa H, Iwatani Y, Kamisako T. Ezetimibe increases hepatic iron levels in mice fed a high-fat diet. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2013; 345:483-91. [PMID: 23538201 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.113.203448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Accumulating evidence suggests that ezetimibe may be a promising agent for treatment of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and steatohepatitis (NAFLD/NASH). Phlebotomy and dietary iron restriction reduce serum transaminase in NAFLD/NASH patients. Recent studies have shown that a mutual effect exists between lipid metabolism and iron metabolism. Accordingly, we examined the effect of ezetimibe on iron metabolism in mice fed a high-fat diet with or without iron. We fed C57BL/6 mice the following diets for 12 weeks. Experiment 1 comprised [1] a control diet (C), [2] C plus ezetimibe (0.3 mg/day; 4 weeks) (CE), [3] a high-fat diet (H), and [4] H plus ezetimibe (HE). Experiment 2 comprised [1] C containing carbonyl iron (average; 22.4 mg/day; 6 weeks) (CI), [2] CI plus ezetimibe (CIE), [3] H containing carbonyl iron (HI), and [4] HI plus ezetimibe (HIE). Blood, livers, and duodenum were removed after 12 weeks. In experiment 1, the hepatic iron levels were higher in HE than H, whereas there was no difference between C and CE. Hepatic mRNA expression of transferrin receptor 1 and 2, ferritins, and hepcidin were increased more in CE than C, and more in HE than H. In the duodenum, divalent metal transporter 1, ferritin H, and hephaestin mRNA levels were increased in CE compared with C. In experiment 2, hepatic iron concentrations were higher in HIE than HI. Hepatic mRNA expression of ferritin L and hepcidin were increased in HIE compared with HI. In duodenum, ferritin L mRNA was increased in HIE compared with CIE. Ezetimibe induced hepatic iron uptake transporter expression in mice fed a high-fat diet, causing increased hepatic iron concentrations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshizumi Kishino
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Kinki University Faculty of Medicine, 377-2, Ohnohigashi, Osakasayama 589-8511, Japan
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Umemoto T, Subramanian S, Ding Y, Goodspeed L, Wang S, Han CY, Teresa AS, Kim J, O'Brien KD, Chait A. Inhibition of intestinal cholesterol absorption decreases atherosclerosis but not adipose tissue inflammation. J Lipid Res 2012; 53:2380-9. [PMID: 22956784 DOI: 10.1194/jlr.m029264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Adipose tissue inflammation is associated with insulin resistance and increased cardiovascular disease risk in obesity. We previously showed that addition of cholesterol to a diet rich in saturated fat and refined carbohydrate significantly worsens dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, adipose tissue macrophage accumulation, systemic inflammation, and atherosclerosis in LDL receptor-deficient (Ldlr(-/-)) mice. To test whether inhibition of intestinal cholesterol absorption would improve metabolic abnormalities and adipose tissue inflammation in obesity, we administered ezetimibe, a dietary and endogenous cholesterol absorption inhibitor, to Ldlr(-/-) mice fed chow or high-fat, high-sucrose (HFHS) diets without or with 0.15% cholesterol (HFHS+C). Ezetimibe blunted weight gain and markedly reduced plasma lipids in the HFHS+C group. Ezetimibe had no effect on glucose homeostasis or visceral adipose tissue macrophage gene expression in the HFHS+C fed mice, although circulating inflammatory markers serum amyloid A (SSA) and serum amyloid P (SSP) levels decreased. Nevertheless, ezetimibe treatment led to a striking (>85%) reduction in atherosclerotic lesion area with reduced lesion lipid and macrophage content in the HFHS+C group. Thus, in the presence of dietary cholesterol, ezetimibe did not improve adipose tissue inflammation in obese Ldlr(-/-) mice, but it led to a major reduction in atherosclerotic lesions associated with improved plasma lipids and lipoproteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomio Umemoto
- Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology, and Nutrition, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
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Tzanetakou IP, Doulamis IP, Korou LM, Agrogiannis G, Vlachos IS, Pantopoulou A, Mikhailidis DP, Patsouris E, Vlachos I, Perrea DN. Water Soluble Vitamin E Administration in Wistar Rats with Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. Open Cardiovasc Med J 2012; 6:88-97. [PMID: 22930662 PMCID: PMC3428633 DOI: 10.2174/1874192401206010088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2012] [Accepted: 07/15/2012] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE A diet rich in fat is associated with hepatic fat deposition [steatosis; non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)]. The exact cause of NAFLD however, is still unknown. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of a water-soluble formulation of vitamin E on a dietary-induced-NAFLD animal model. METHODS Adult male Wistar rats (n=20) were allocated to 2 groups: Controls (Group A, n=6), which received a standard chow diet for 24 weeks and a High Cholesterol group (HC: n=14), which received a standard chow diet enriched with cholesterol for the first 14 weeks of the experiment (t(1)). At t(1), the HC group was divided into: Group HC(B), which received a high-saturated-fat/high-cholesterol (HSF/HCH) diet and Group HC(C), which followed the same HSF/HCH diet but was also administered water soluble vitamin E (10 IU/kg body weight/day), for 10 more weeks. RESULTS At the end of the study, group HC(C) exhibited significantly lower mean total cholesterol (T-CHOL) than group HC(B) (p<0.001). No significant differences were observed between HC(C) and Control groups in blood glucose and serum lipid concentrations. Liver Function Tests did not vary between all groups at the end of the study. Animals in group HC(B) exhibited higher SGOT at the end of the study compared with the beginning of the study (p<0.05). Group HC(B) exhibited the highest scores in steatosis, and grading (according to the NAFLD scoring system) in the histopathological analysis (p≤0.001 in all cases). CONCLUSIONS Vitamin E seems to exert a hypolipidemic and hepatoprotective role in the presence of a HSF/HCH atherogenic diet in a rat model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene P Tzanetakou
- Laboratory for Experimental Surgery and Surgical Research “N. S. Christeas”, University of Athens Medical School, Athens, Greece
| | - Ilias P Doulamis
- Laboratory for Experimental Surgery and Surgical Research “N. S. Christeas”, University of Athens Medical School, Athens, Greece
| | - Laskarina-Maria Korou
- Laboratory for Experimental Surgery and Surgical Research “N. S. Christeas”, University of Athens Medical School, Athens, Greece
| | - George Agrogiannis
- 1st Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Ioannis S Vlachos
- Laboratory for Experimental Surgery and Surgical Research “N. S. Christeas”, University of Athens Medical School, Athens, Greece
| | - Alkisti Pantopoulou
- Laboratory for Experimental Surgery and Surgical Research “N. S. Christeas”, University of Athens Medical School, Athens, Greece
| | - Dimitri P Mikhailidis
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Royal Free Hospital Campus, University College London Medical School, University College London (UCL), London, UK
| | - Efstratios Patsouris
- 1st Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Ioannis Vlachos
- Laboratory for Experimental Surgery and Surgical Research “N. S. Christeas”, University of Athens Medical School, Athens, Greece
| | - Despina N Perrea
- Laboratory for Experimental Surgery and Surgical Research “N. S. Christeas”, University of Athens Medical School, Athens, Greece
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Atorvastatin exerts its anti-atherosclerotic effects by targeting the receptor for advanced glycation end products. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2011; 1812:1130-7. [PMID: 21651980 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2011.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2011] [Revised: 05/12/2011] [Accepted: 05/19/2011] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Recent studies demonstrated the beneficial role of atorvastatin in reducing the risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in patients with diabetes mellitus and/or metabolic syndrome. To investigate the mechanisms underlying the anti-atheroscleroic action of atorvastatin, we examined the expression of the receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) and its downstream target gene, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) using real-time PCR. In in vitro studies, exposure to high glucose or AGE induced oxidative stress and activation of the AGE/RAGE system in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Treatment of the cells with atorvastatin significantly released the oxidative stress by restoring the levels of glutathione and inhibited the RAGE upregulation. In diabetic Goto Kakisaki (GK) rats fed with a high-fat diet for 12weeks, RAGE and MCP-1 were upregulated in the aortas, and there was a significant correlation between RAGE and MCP-1 mRNA abundance (r=0.482, P=0.031). Treatment with atorvastatin (20mg/kg qd) significantly downregulated the expression of RAGE and MCP-1. These data thus demonstrate a novel "pleiotropic" activity of atorvastatin in reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases by targeting RAGE expression.
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