Effect of lipanthyl on mRNA expression of endothelin-1 and nitric-oxide synthase in atherosclerotic vessel wall in rabbits.
OBJECTIVE
To study the mechanism of regression of atherosclerosis (AS) by lipanthyl.


METHODS
Experimental atherosclerotic rabbits created by damaging the abdominal aortic endothelium and feeding with high fat diet for 8 wk were then treated with lipanthyl 15 mg.kg-1.d-1 for 16 wk. Expression of endothelin (ET)-1 mRNA and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) mRNA in atherosclerotic vessel wall was measured by in situ hybridization and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), respectively.


RESULTS
After lipanthyl administration for 16 wk, ET-1 mRNA expression was reduced, and integral optical density (IOD) and area of hybridization granule were observed to be (49,113 +/- 16,868) and (2448 +/- 621) micron 2 in lipanthyl group and (65,188 +/- 10,113) and (3028 +/- 352) micron 2 in atherosclerotic group, respectively. Regarding inducible NOS mRNA expression, IOD and area were decreased by 25.5% and 53.3%, respectively, whereas endothelial NOS mRNA expression was increased.


CONCLUSIONS
Restoration of the disturbed ET-1 mRNA/NOS mRNA balance by lipanthyl might be one of its mechanisms leading to regression of atherosclerosis.
Xie
M L
ML
Department of Pharmacology, Suzhou Medical College, Suzhou 215007.
Gu
Z L
ZL
Chen
K J
KJ
Zhou
W X
WX
Guo
C Y
CY
D000818:Animals; D001012:Aorta, Abdominal / Q000378:metabolism; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000378:metabolism*; D019332:Endothelin-1 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D011345:Fenofibrate / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D052247:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D011817:Rabbits; D011897:Random Allocation
D019332:Endothelin-1; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase; D052247:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II; D011345:Fenofibrate