title: Effects of 3,4-dihydroxyacetophenone on the hypercholesterolemia-induced atherosclerotic rabbits.
abstract: 3,4-Dihydroxyacetophenone (3,4-DHAP) is one herbal extract from bald Mao-dong-qing leaves. We reported that 3,4-DHAP had anti-inflammatory function by decreasing tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) secretion in macrophages. The aim of the study was to examine the effects of 3,4-DHAP on plasma and liver lipids, plasma alanine aminotranferase (ALT) and TNF-α level, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) expression, plaque vulnerability and vascular inflammation in hypercholesterolemia-induced atherosclerotic rabbits. Male New Zealand white rabbits were randomized into negative control, positive control, 3,4-DHAP and simvastatin groups. From weeks 2 to 12, the rabbits were treated with 3,4-DHAP or simvastatin. At weeks 12, all the animals were sacrificed. Plasma lipids and ALT were measured using the enzymatic endpoint method. Plasma TNF-α was measured using enzyme-linked immuno sorbent assay (ELISA). Liver lipids concentrations were estimated using commercial kits. The expression of VCAM-1 was measured using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot. Histological analysis was used to evaluate the pathologic changes of rabbit aortas. The results showed that 3,4-DHAP markedly lowered plasma and liver lipids, lowered plasma ALT and TNF-α levels compared with the positive control group. VCAM-1 mRNA and protein were markedly inhibited by 3,4-DHAP. Decreased aortic plaque instability was evident in 3,4-DHAP-treated rabbits, as demonstrated by a thickened elastic layer, increased vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) accumulation in the plaques, less neointima hyperplasia and macrophages recruitment. 3,4-DHAP may attenuate the progression of atherosclerotic lesions and stabilize plaques by lowering plasma lipids, the number of macrophages and the expression of VCAM-1, while increasing the number of VSMCs in the atherosclerotic plaques.
authors: Department of Pathophysiology, Weifang Medical College, 261053 Weifang, Shandong Province, China.
authors: Daijuan
authors: D
authors: Zhang
authors: Jiangyue
authors: J
authors: Liu
authors: Lin
authors: L
authors: Wang
authors: Jianying
authors: J
authors: Wang
authors: Wentao
authors: W
authors: Li
authors: Baoxiang
authors: B
authors: Zhuang
authors: Jianping
authors: J
authors: Hou
authors: Tongmei
authors: T
authors: Liu
mesh_terms: D000098:Acetophenones / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001011:Aorta / Q000473:pathology; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D050356:Lipid Metabolism / Q000187:drug effects; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D008264:Macrophages / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000473:pathology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D011817:Rabbits; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000097:blood; D019010:Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000098:Acetophenones; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D019010:Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1; C032940:3,4-dihydroxyacetophenone; D000410:Alanine Transaminase