Journal
ATHEROSCLEROSIS
Volume 198, Issue 1, Pages 39-48Publisher
ELSEVIER IRELAND LTD
DOI: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2007.09.019
Keywords
everolimus; hypercholesterolemia; atherosclerosis; lesion complexity; hypercholesterolemia; inflammation cytokines
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Everolimus inhibits the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) in proliferating cells. It is widely used in transplant patients and has also been exploited by drug-eluting stents for the treatment of cardiovascular disease. However, there is only limited data on the pathophysiological effects of mTOR-inhibitors on the vascular wall. We aimed to unravel the effects of everolimus on cholesterol-induced atherosclerosis and on circulating cell mediators in LDL-receptor-deficient (LDLR-/-) mice. Male hypercholesterolemic LDLR-/- mice received either solvent (group A; n = 28) or everolimus at 0.05 mg/kg (group B, n = 22) and 1.5 mg/kg (group C, n = 29) per body weight per day by subcutaneously implanted osmotic minipumps for the study period of 12 weeks. Group B showed 44% reduction of atherosclerotic lesions at the brachiocephalic artery (BCA). In group C atherosclerotic lesions were reduced by 85% in the BCA and by 60% at the aortic root. This was associated with a significantly lower complexity of lesions in both treated groups (p < 0.001) and despite a 40% increase of plasma cholesterol. Everolimus caused a significant reduction of circulating cell mediators such as interleukin-1 alpha, interleukin-5, GM-CSF and interleukin-12p40. Everolimus increased the plasma levels of KC but had no effect on eighteen other circulating cell mediators studied. Everolimus strongly inhibits atherosclerosis development in LDL-receptor(-/-) mice despite severe hypercholesterolemia. Everolimus application had only small effects on circulating cell mediators. The significant reduction of atherosclerotic lesions was associated with a delayed transition from early macrophages enriched lesions to advanced atherosclerotic plaques. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.
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