title: TLR4-mediated anti-atherosclerosis mechanisms of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor--fosinopril.
abstract: Recently, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) has gained increasing attention for its anti-atherosclerosis activity, but the underlying mechanism is unknown. In our study, we used rabbits fed with high-fat forage, as an atherosclerosis model to investigate the effect of fosinopril, which is an ACEI. Animals which received both high-fat forage and fosinopril, were maintained as the drug-treated group. Ultrasonography and Sudan III staining were used to determine the process of atherosclerosis. The expression of TLR4 and activity NF-κB were determined using western blot, RT-PCR and ELISA. The results showed that the atherosclerotic plaque was visible at sixteen weeks. More importantly, the atherosclerotic plaque was significantly decreased after fosinopril treatment. In the atherosclerosis model, the levels of TLR4 and NF-κB were increased, but this increased expression was inhibited in the fosinopril treated group. Our results demonstrated that TLR4 could be used as a potential biomarker for atherosclerosis and ACEI has the potential to be a new anti-atherosclerotic drug.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Central Hospital, Fengxian District, Shanghai 201400, China. Electronic address: zyqwyf347@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Shuansuo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Ruogu
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Lei
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.forename: Xinkai
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Qu
authors.forename: Guanghao
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ge
authors.forename: Jiangwei
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.forename: Huajin
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Zengyong
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Qiao
authors.forename: Weiyi
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Fang
mesh_terms: D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000818:Animals; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D015415:Biomarkers; D059305:Diet, High-Fat; D017328:Fosinopril / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000378:metabolism*; D058226:Plaque, Atherosclerotic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011817:Rabbits; D051197:Toll-Like Receptor 4 / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D015415:Biomarkers; D016328:NF-kappa B; D051197:Toll-Like Receptor 4; D017328:Fosinopril
keywords: Atherosclerosis; Fosinopril; NF-κB; TLR4