title: Local adiponectin treatment reduces atherosclerotic plaque size in rabbits.
abstract: In this study, we investigated the in vivo role of adiponectin, an adipocytokine, on the development of atherosclerosis in rabbits mainly using adenovirus expressing adiponectin gene (Ad-APN) and intravascular ultrasonography. Serum adiponectin concentrations in rabbits after Ad-APN local transfer to abdominal aortas increased about nine times as much as those before transfer (P < 0.01), about ten times as much as the levels of endogenous adiponectin in adenovirus expressing beta-galactosidase gene (Ad-beta gal) treated rabbits (P < 0.01), and about four times as much as those in the aorta of non-injured rabbits on a normal cholesterol diet (P < 0.01). Ultrasonography revealed a significantly reduced atherosclerotic plaque area in abdominal aortas of rabbits infected through intima with Ad-APN, by 35.2% compared with the area before treatment (P < 0.01), and by 35.8% compared with that in Ad-beta gal-treated rabbits (P < 0.01). In rabbits infected through adventitia, Ad-APN treatment reduced plaque area by 28.9% as compared with the area before treatment (P < 0.01) and 25.6% compared with that in Ad-beta gal-treated rabbits (P < 0.01). Adiponectin significantly suppressed the mRNA expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) by 18.5% through intima transfer (P < 0.05) and 26.9% through adventitia transfer (P < 0.01), and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) by 40.7% through intima transfer (P < 0.01), and 30.7% through adventitia transfer (P < 0.01). However, adiponectin had no effect on the expression of types I and III collagen. These results suggest that local adiponectin treatment suppresses the development of atherosclerosis in vivo in part by attenuating the expression of VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 in vascular walls.
authors.affiliation: The Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodeling and Function Research, Chinese Ministry of Education and Chinese Ministry of Public Health, Shandong University Qilu Hospital, No. 107#, Wenhua Xi Road, Jinan, Shandong 250012, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Chang-Jiang
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Hui-Wen
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Fa-Liang
authors.initials: FL
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: Liang
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Yuan-Yuan
authors.initials: YY
authors.lastname: Rong
authors.forename: Yun
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Mei
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D000256:Adenoviridae / Q000235:genetics; D052242:Adiponectin / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D001012:Aorta, Abdominal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy*; D024042:Collagen Type I / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D024043:Collagen Type II / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D004036:Diet, Atherogenic; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000187:drug effects; D005818:Genetic Engineering / Q000379:methods; D015316:Genetic Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005822:Genetic Vectors / Q000008:administration & dosage; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D023421:Models, Animal; D010843:Pichia; D011817:Rabbits; D014161:Transduction, Genetic / Q000379:methods; D017539:Tunica Intima / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000821:virology; D014463:Ultrasonography; D019010:Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D052242:Adiponectin; D024042:Collagen Type I; D024043:Collagen Type II; D019010:Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1