Fatty acid bile acid conjugates inhibit atherosclerosis in the C57BL/6 mouse model.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the current research was to study whether fatty acid bile acid conjugates (FABACs) have a beneficial effect on atherosclerosis progression and blood lipid levels in mice.


METHODS
C57BL/6 female mice, fed a high-fat Paigen diet, were administered an oral dose of FABAC or DDH2O daily. Quantification of atherosclerotic fatty-streak lesions at the aortic sinus was performed.


RESULTS
The FABAC-treated mice showed a significant reduction in the atherosclerotic lesion areas as compared to the control group (p = 0.019). A significant elevation in total cholesterol levels was observed in both the FABAC and control groups. Higher FABAC levels were measured in the high-density lipoprotein fraction as compared to the very-low-density and low-density lipoprotein fractions.


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings demonstrate that FABACs, given orally, reduce the development of atherosclerosis in mice fed a high-fat high-cholesterol diet, despite a lack of effect on plasma lipid levels.
Gonen
A
A
Institute of Lipid and Atherosclerosis Research, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel.
Shaish
A
A
Leikin-Frenkel
A
A
Gilat
T
T
Harats
D
D
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001647:Bile Acids and Salts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood / Q000145:classification; D004036:Diet, Atherogenic; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D018450:Disease Progression; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D012850:Sinus of Valsalva / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
D001647:Bile Acids and Salts; D005227:Fatty Acids; D014280:Triglycerides; D002784:Cholesterol