Prostaglandin E1 decreases human arterial accumulation of radiolabeled apo B-containing lipoproteins in vivo.
OBJECTIVE
An increased apo B-containing lipoprotein influx and cholesterol ester accumulation in arteries are well-known events in human atherogenesis. In vitro and experimental animal studies have provided evidence of a beneficial effect of PGE1 on both vascular apo B-containing lipoprotein accumulation and cholesterol ester content.


METHODS
We examined the effect of PGE1 (administered via an intravenous portable infusion pump at a rate of 5 ng PGE1 kg-1.min-1 for 5 days a week, 6 h daily, over a total of 5 weeks) in ten patients (eight males, two females) on 123I-apo B-containing lipoprotein accumulation into the large arteries in vivo. Apo B-containing lipoprotein isolation was carried out by immunoaffinity chromatography and radiolabeling with the iodine monochloride method. 123I-apo B-containing lipoprotein accumulation was imaged and quantified by means of special computer software before and after 5 weeks of PGE1 therapy.


RESULTS
PGE1 led to a significant decrease in maximal arterial apo B-containing lipoprotein retention. The mean decrease in the carotid and femoral arteries in type I lesions amounted to between 16.9% and 30.4%, and in type II lesions between 22.4% and 30.7%, 20 h after injection of radiolabeled apo B-containing lipoprotein. The type of arterial apo B-containing lipoprotein kinetic curves, however, remained unchanged.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings indicate that PGE1 decreases the apo B-containing lipoprotein influx in the large arteries and the vascular cholesterol content, suggesting that PGE1 may lead to regression of lipid-rich lesions in human in vivo.
Kritz
H
H
Wilhelm Auerswald Atherosclerosis Research Group (ASF) Vienna, Austria.
Sinzinger
H
H
Lupattelli
G
G
Virgolini
I
I
Fitscha
P
P
O'Grady
J
J
D000527:Alprostadil / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001055:Apolipoproteins B / Q000378:metabolism*; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005263:Femoral Artery / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000378:metabolism
D001055:Apolipoproteins B; D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; D014280:Triglycerides; D002784:Cholesterol; D000527:Alprostadil