A comparative study of anti-atherosclerotic/anti-inflammatory effect of irbesartan and rosuvastatin in hypercholesterolemic male rabbits

Objective To evaluate the potential protective effect of irbesartan on atherosclerotic progression using rosuvastatin as a positive control. Methods Twenty local domestic rabbits were randomly divided into four groups, five rabbits per each group.The first group (I), rabbits were receiving normal diet; the second group (II), rabbits were receiving 2% cholesterol diet; the third group (Ill), rabbits were receiving rosuvastatin and 2% cholesterol diet and; the fourth group (IV), rabbit were receiving irbesartan and 2% cholesterol diet. Serum level of cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL, VLDL and HDL were determined after 12 weeks of the study. Serum level of high sensitive C-reactive protein, ICAM1 and VCAM1 were measured after 12 weeks of the study. Total antioxidant activity was also determined. Aortic tissue sent for histopathological examination of atherosclerosis lesion. Results Data of this study have showed that atherogenic diet caused an increase in serum level of TC, LDL, VLDL and TG and a decrease in serum level of HDL. Treatment of rabbits with irbesartan caused substantial decrease in serum lipid profile compared with untreated rabbit receiving atherogenic diet. No significant difference was seen between irbesartan- and rosuvastatin-treated rabbits in all lipid parameters measured with the exception that the HDL level in rosuvastatin-treated rabbits was significantly higher than that of irbesartan-treated rabbits. Rabbit treated with irbesartan showed a significant decrease in the serum level of high sensitive C-reactive protein, ICAM1,VCAM1 and aortic total antioxidant capacity when compared with untreated group. No significant difference was seen between irbesartan- and rosuvastatin-treated rabbits in all these inflammatory parameters measured. Histopathological examination showed that irbesartan decreased atherogenic lesion significantly when compared with untreated rabbits. Conclusion Irbesartan has a potential protective effect against atherosclerosis via decreasing lipid oxidation and inflammatory mediators. In terms of lipid lowering and anti-inflammatory effects, irbesartan has similar pattern of effectiveness to rosuvastatin.