Katsimpoulas M, Kadoglou NE, Moustardas P, Kapelouzou A, Dede E, Kostomitsopoulos N, Karayannacos PE, Kostakis A, Liapis CD. The role of exercise training and the endocannabinoid system in atherosclerotic plaque burden and composition in Apo-E-deficient mice.
Hellenic J Cardiol 2017;
57:417-425. [PMID:
28254386 DOI:
10.1016/j.hjc.2016.11.013]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2015] [Accepted: 09/01/2016] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION
We investigated the effect of combining exercise training and treatment with an endocannabinoid receptor 1 inhibitor (Rimonabant) on atherosclerosis burden and composition.
METHODS
Forty-eight apolipoprotein E-deficient (ApoE-/-) mice were kept on a 16-week high-fat diet. Mice were then placed on a normal diet and were randomized to the following groups with n=12 mice for 6 more weeks: 1) Control (Co) - no intervention; 2) Exercise (Ex) - exercise training on treadmill; 3) Rimonabant (Ri) - oral administration of rimonabant (10 mg/kg/day); or 4) Rimonabant+Exercise (RiEx) - combination of Ri and Ex groups treatment. At the end, all animals were sacrificed, and blood samples, as well as aortic root specimens, were obtained for histomorphometric analysis and quantification of the serum and plaque content of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs).
RESULTS
The mean plaque area was significantly smaller (RiEx: 43.18±1.72%, Ri: 44.66±3.1%, Ex: 49±4.10%, Co: 70.43±2.83%) in all active treatment groups relative to the Co group (p<0.01). Conversely, the relative concentrations of collagen and elastin were increased significantly across all treatment groups compared to Co (p<0.05). Immunohistochemical analysis revealed significantly reduced macrophage content within plaques after all interventions, with the most pronounced effect observed after combined treatment (RiEx: 9.4±3.92%, Ri: 15±2.45%, Ex: 19.78±2.79%, Co: 34.25±4.99%; p<0.05). Within plaques, the TIMP-1 concentration was significantly upregulated in exercise-treated groups. MMP-3 and MMP-9 concentrations were equivalently decreased in all three active treatment groups compared to controls (p<0.001).
DISCUSSION
Both exercise and rimonabant treatments induced plaque regression and promoted plaque stability. The combined treatment failed to show additive or synergistic benefits relative to either intervention alone.
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