title: The synergistic inhibition of atherogenesis in apoE-/- mice between pravastatin and the sPLA2 inhibitor varespladib (A-002).
abstract: Secretory phospholipase A2 (sPLA2) activity promotes foam cell formation, increases proinflammatory bioactive lipid levels, decreases HDL levels, increases atherosclerosis in transgenic mice, and is an independent marker of cardiovascular disease. The effects of the sPLA2 inhibitor A-002 (varespladib) and pravastatin as monotherapies and in combination on atherosclerosis, lipids, and paraoxonase (PON) activity in apoE(-/-) mice were investigated. Male apoE(-/-) mice were placed on a 12-week high-fat diet supplemented with A-002 alone or combined with pravastatin. Atherosclerotic lesions were examined for size and composition using en face analysis, Movat staining, anti-CD68, and anti-alpha actin antibodies. Plasma lipids and PON activity were measured. A-002 decreased atherosclerotic lesion area by approximately 75% while increasing fibrous cap size by over 200%. HDL levels increased 40% and plasma PON activity increased 80%. Pravastatin monotherapy had no effect on lesion size but when combined with A-002, decreased lesion area 50% and total cholesterol levels 18% more than A-002 alone. A-002, a sPLA2 inhibitor, acts synergistically with pravastatin to decrease atherosclerosis, possibly through decreased levels of systemic inflammation or decreased lipid levels. A-002 treatment also resulted in a profound increase in plasma PON activity and significantly larger fibrous caps, suggesting the formation of more stable plaque architecture.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
authors.forename: Zory
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Shaposhnik
authors.forename: Xuping
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Joaquim
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Trias
authors.forename: Heather
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Fraser
authors.forename: Aldons J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Lusis
mesh_terms: D000085:Acetates / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000818:Animals; D001057:Apolipoproteins E / Q000172:deficiency* / Q000235:genetics; D043303:Aryldialkylphosphatase / Q000097:blood; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004357:Drug Synergism; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007211:Indoles / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007651:Keto Acids; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D054497:Phospholipases A2, Secretory / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D017035:Pravastatin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011355:Prodrugs / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D000085:Acetates; D001057:Apolipoproteins E; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D007211:Indoles; D007651:Keto Acids; D008055:Lipids; D011355:Prodrugs; C117948:varespladib; D054497:Phospholipases A2, Secretory; D043303:Aryldialkylphosphatase; D017035:Pravastatin