[Inhibitory effect of N-acetylcysteine upon atherosclerotic processes in rabbit carotid].
OBJECTIVE
To discuss the effect of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) upon matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) in the atherosclerotic processes in rabbit carotid.


METHODS
The atherosclerotic models were generated in vitro by injuring rabbit internal carotid with arterial canal balloon. These rabbits were divided into 3 groups (15 mg/kg NAC, 30 mg/kg NAC and control group) and treated for 8 weeks. HE staining and immunohistochemistry were used to observe the plaque formation and the distribution of MMPs and ox-LDL. ELISA was used to detect the level of ox-LDL. And the protein levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in rabbit venous blood were detected by SDS PAGE zymography. The mRNA level of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were measured by RT-PCR and electrophoresis.


RESULTS
As compared with the control group, NAC (15 mg/kg) group had a reduction of neointima of arterial lumen [(1.79 +/- 0.24) vs (2.78 +/- 0.17) mm2]. A decrease of endothelial thickness [(0.16 +/- 0.01) vs (0.24 +/- 0.02) mm2] and an increase of vascular cavity transverse [(0.58 +/- 0.10) vs (0.33 +/- 0.1) mm2] (P < 0.05) were observed. At week 8, the oxLDL levels decreased by 16% in NAC (30 mg/kg) group [(30.5 +/- 1.2) vs (36.2 +/- 1.8) mmol/L] (P < 0.01). Serum levels of pro-MMP-2, MMP-2 and pro-MMP-9 decreased markedly [INT/mm2: (311 +/- 19, 208 +/- 8, 283 +/- 7 vs 619 +/- 17, 574 +/- 8, 564 +/- 10) respectively, P < 0.01] in NAC (30 mg/kg) group. The levels of mRNA expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were (2.4 +/- 0.4, 2.8 +/- 0.2) vs (3.4 +/- 0.3, 3.7 +/- 0.5) respectively (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
NAC inhibits the atherosclerotic formation, suppresses the levels of ox-LDL, MMP-9 and MMP-2 and downgrades the expression of matrix metalloproteinase mRNA.
Meng
Xiao-Ping
XP
Department of Cardiology, Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130041, China.
Yin
Cheng-Shu
CS
Cui
Jian-Hua
JH
Li
Zhen-Xiao
ZX
Wang
Li
L
Wang
Yong-Wei
YW
Li
Ya-Li
YL
D000111:Acetylcysteine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000378:metabolism*; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000473:pathology*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / Q000097:blood; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000097:blood; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases / Q000097:blood*; D011817:Rabbits
D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; C099252:oxidized low density lipoprotein; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9; D000111:Acetylcysteine