title: Effect of the anti-oxidant probucol on soluble thrombomodulin (sTM) in hypercholesterolemic rabbits.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Thrombomodulin is an integral endothelial cell membrane protein, exists not only on the surface of endothelial cells but also as soluble fragments circulating in plasma. Probucol has anti-oxidant properties as well as cholesterol-lowering effects and may affect soluble thrombomodulin (sTM).
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixteen rabbits fed with high-cholesterol diet for 8 weeks were randomly divided into two groups: (1) high-cholesterol group (n=8): maintained high-cholesterol diet; (2) probucol group (n=8): the same diet plus probucol for 6 weeks. Control group (n=8) was fed with normal diet for 14 weeks. The levels of sTM and oxidized low-density lipoprotein (OX-LDL) were measured using ELISA.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were atherosclerotic lesions in aortas and intimal thickness significantly increased in high-cholesterol group. Probucol significantly reduced the lesion area (56.4%+/-9.8% vs 82.5%+/-10.5%) and decreased the intimal thickness (44.65+/-7.25 mum vs 72.21+/-8.32) as compared with high-cholesterol group, all P<0.01. Probucol decreased the level of OX-LDL and sTM as compared with high-cholesterol group, all P<0.05.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Probucol retarded the plaques formation may relate to decrease plasma OX-LDL and sTM concentration, which may improve endothelial function in hypercholesterolemic rabbit.
authors.forename: Shao-Cai
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.forename: Shui-Ping
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Qiong
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Zhi-Hong
authors.initials: ZH
authors.lastname: Wu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D011341:Probucol / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011817:Rabbits; D018180:Thrombomodulin / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D000975:Antioxidants; D018180:Thrombomodulin; D011341:Probucol