[Effect of PPARgamma agonist rosiglitazone on regression of the atherosclerotic plaques in rabbits].
OBJECTIVE
To explore the prevention of atherosclerosis by PPARy agonist rosiglitazone.


METHODS
24 male New Zealand white rabbits weighing 1.8 to 2.2 kg were randomly divided into 3 groups: control group, normal rabbit chow; cholesterol group, 1% cholesterol diet; rosiglitazone group, 1% cholesterol diet supplemented with rosiglitazone 0.5 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1) for 6 weeks. Rabbits in cholesterol group and rosiglitazone group were sequentially fed 1% cholesterol-containing diet for 16 weeks. At the end of the experiment, blood glucose, serum lipids levels, ratio of plaque area to aorta area and ratio of intima to media were determined.


RESULTS
Hypercholesterolemia was successfully reproduced in rabbits. Adnimistration of rosiglitazone significantly decreased serum TC and LDL-C. The ratio of intima to media and ratio of plaque area to aorta area were also reduced.


CONCLUSIONS
Rosiglitazone could prevent atherosclerosis by decreasing levels of TC and LDL-C.
Wang
Zhao-hui
ZH
The Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China. wwwzh@public.wh.hb.cn
Luo
Feng
F
Liu
Xiao-mei
XM
D000818:Animals; D001011:Aorta / Q000473:pathology; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D002791:Cholesterol, Dietary; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D047495:PPAR gamma / Q000819:agonists*; D011817:Rabbits; D011897:Random Allocation; D000077154:Rosiglitazone; D045162:Thiazolidinediones / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017539:Tunica Intima / Q000473:pathology
D002791:Cholesterol, Dietary; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents; D047495:PPAR gamma; D045162:Thiazolidinediones; D000077154:Rosiglitazone; D002784:Cholesterol