© 1998 by European Society of Cardiology
Copyright © 1998, European Society of Cardiology
Exposure to oxidized low-density lipoprotein in vivo enhances intimal thickening and selectively impairs endothelium-dependent dilation in the rabbit
aDivision of Pharmacology (UIA), University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, B-2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
bDivision of Physiology (RUCA), University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
cDepartment of Pathology, General Hospital Middelheim, Antwerp, Belgium
* Corresponding author. Tel.: +32 3 8202636; Fax: +32 3 8202567; E-mail: matthysk@uia.ua.ac.be
Objectives: Based on in vitro studies, oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) has been implicated in atherogenesis and the associated deficiency in endothelium-dependent relaxation. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of in vivo exposure to oxLDL on intimal thickening and relaxing behaviour. Methods: Intimal thickening was evoked by the placement of silicone collars around the carotid arteries of the rabbit for 3 or 14 days. OxLDL (Cu2+-oxidized, 7 µg/h) or the vehicle phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) was infused in the collars via subdermally implanted osmotic minipumps. Results: The collared vessels receiving PBS developed discrete intimal thickening after 14 days (intima/media (I/M) ratio 11±2%). OxLDL infusion resulted in intimal thickening after 3 days and significantly enhanced the intimal thickness by 14 days (I/M ratio 98±16%). Collaring alone for 3 or 14 days and 3 days exposure to oxLDL did not impair the endothelium-dependent relaxations to acetylcholine or calcium ionophore, nor to the NO donors glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) and S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP). However, the sensitivity to acetylcholine was decreased after exposure to oxLDL for 14 days (–logEC50 oxLDL 6.95±0.11 vs. 7.52±0.11 collar alone) and the maximal relaxation to the endothelium-dependent agonist was reduced by 50%, this in the presence of a virtually intact endothelium. Complete relaxation was still obtained with the nitric oxide donors. Conclusion: Our results show for the first time that local vascular exposure to oxLDL in vivo promotes intimal thickening and inhibits endothelium-dependent dilation, thereby supporting an active role for oxLDL in the morphological and functional changes observed in atherosclerotic blood vessels.
KEYWORDS Atherosclerosis; Low-density lipoprotein; Nitric oxide; Intima; Rabbit; Vasodilation; Endothelium
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