title: Lipopolysaccharide-induced proliferation of the vasa vasorum in a rabbit model of atherosclerosis as evaluated by contrast-enhanced ultrasound imaging and histology.
abstract: Whether lipopolysaccharide (LPS) can promote vasa vasorum (VV) proliferation for atherosclerosis in vivo is unclear. Eighteen rabbits with atherosclerosis were randomly assigned into one of three groups of six. Group A received biweekly injections of 10 mL saline after 2 weeks of balloon injury. Groups B and C received biweekly intravenous injections of 3.0 μg LPS in 10 mL saline at weeks 10 and 4, respectively, until study termination. LPS significantly increased the levels of triglycerides and C-reactive protein and decreased the level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Group C had significant larger plaques and more macrophages than group A (p = 0.01 and p < 0.001, respectively). Contrast enhancement ultrasound imaging and histological detection demonstrated that plaques in group C had a significantly higher VV density than that in group A (p = 0.009 and p = 0.002, respectively). In summary, VV proliferation for plaque destabilization can be accelerated by LPS-induced systemic inflammation and changes in lipid profiles.
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratories of Education Ministry for Myocardial Ischemia Mechanism and Treatment, Department of Cardiology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Jinwei
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tian
authors.forename: Sining
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: Xue
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Han
authors.forename: Nana
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Dong
authors.forename: Huai
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Yanli
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Bo
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Yu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D007249:Inflammation / Q000139:chemically induced*; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology*; D008264:Macrophages / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic; D058226:Plaque, Atherosclerotic; D011817:Rabbits; D011897:Random Allocation; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014651:Vasa Vasorum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*
chemical_list: D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D014280:Triglycerides; D002097:C-Reactive Protein