Journal
MEDICAL SCIENCE MONITOR
Volume 21, Issue -, Pages 4081-4089Publisher
INT SCIENTIFIC INFORMATION, INC
DOI: 10.12659/MSM.895547
Keywords
Apoptosis; Atherosclerosis; Inflammation Mediators; Niacin
Categories
Funding
- Youth Foundation of the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University
- Key Project of Education Department of Henan Science and Technology [12A320076]
Ask authors/readers for more resources
Background: Niacin is a broad-spectrum lipid-regulating drug used for the clinical therapy of atherosclerosis; however, the mechanisms by which niacin ameliorates atherosclerosis are not clear. Material/Methods: The effect of niacin on atherosclerosis was assessed by detection of atherosclerotic lesion area. Adhesion molecules in arterial endothelial cells were determined by using qRT-PCR and Western blot analysis. The levels of serum inflammatory cytokines in ApoE(-/-) mice were detected by using ELISA. We detected the expression levels of phosphorylated nuclear factors-kappa B (NF-kappa B) p65 in aortic endothelial cells of mice using Western blot analysis. Furthermore, we investigated the anti-inflammation effect and endothelium-protecting function of niacin and their regulatory mechanisms in vitro. Results: Niacin inhibited the progress of atherosclerosis and decreased the levels of serum inflammatory cytokines and adhesion molecules in ApoE(-/-) mice. Niacin suppressed the activity of NF-kappa B and apoptosis of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Furthermore, niacin induced phosphorylated focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and FAK inhibitor PF-573228 reduced the level of Bcl-2 and elevated the level of cleaved caspase-3 in VSMCs. Conclusions: Niacin inhibits vascular inflammation and apoptosis of VSMCs via inhibiting the NF-kappa B signaling and the FAK signaling pathway, respectively, thus protecting ApoE(-/-) mice against atherosclerosis.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available