Turpentine-induced inflammation reduces the hepatic expression of the multiple drug resistance gene, the plasma cholesterol concentration and the development of atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E deficient mice.
We aimed to investigate the effect of turpentine-induced inflammation in an atherosclerosis-prone murine model. We have induced a chronic aseptic inflammation in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice, with or without a dietary supplement of aspirin (n = 10, each), by the injection of a mixture (1:1) of turpentine and olive oil in the hind limb twice weekly for a period of 12 weeks. Control animals were injected with olive oil alone (n = 10). The control mice did show any alteration neither in plasma nor at the site of injection. Turpentine-treated mice showed a significant increase in plasma TNF-alpha and SAA concentrations which indicated a systemic inflammatory response that was not substantially affected by aspirin. Also, turpentine injections significantly reduced the plasma cholesterol concentration, probably decreasing intestinal cholesterol re-absorption, and attenuated the size of atherosclerotic lesion. Both effects were minimally influenced by aspirin. The burden of atherosclerosis correlated with plasma lipid levels but not with plasma inflammatory markers. Finally, there was a concomitant decrease in the expression of the hepatic mdr1b gene that correlated with the decrease in plasma cholesterol concentration. Therefore, we conclude that mdr1 is an additional factor to consider in the complexity of alterations in cholesterol metabolism that occur in this model.
Tous
Mònica
M
Centre de Recerca Biomèdica, Institut de Recerca en Ciències de la Salut (IRCIS), Hospital Universitari de Sant Joan, Reus, Spain.
Ribas
Vicent
V
Ferré
Natàlia
N
Escolà-Gil
Joan Carles
JC
Blanco-Vaca
Francisco
F
Alonso-Villaverde
Carlos
C
Coll
Blai
B
Camps
Jordi
J
Joven
Jorge
J
D000818:Animals; D001057:Apolipoproteins E / Q000172:deficiency*; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D001835:Body Weight; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D019450:Genes, MDR; D007249:Inflammation / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D007408:Intestinal Absorption; D050356:Lipid Metabolism; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D009752:Nutritional Status; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000378:metabolism; D014425:Turpentine
D001057:Apolipoproteins E; D014280:Triglycerides; D002784:Cholesterol; D014425:Turpentine