RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of rosiglitazone and simvastatin on inflammatory factors in atherosclerotic rabbits and to explore the anti-atherosclerosis mechanism. METHODS: Thirty-six male New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into four groups: control group, model group, simvastatin group, and rosiglitazone group. Subcutaneous injection of dl-homocyesteine thiolac-tone combined with high fat diet was used to reproduce atherosclerotic rabbit model, the serum level of interleukin-18 (IL-18) was examined by ELISA, and the expressions of monocyte chemoattractant-1 (MCP-1) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) in aortic atherosclerotic plaque were examined by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the serum levels of IL-18 and the expressions of MMP-9 and MCP-1 in aortic atherosclerotic plaque were increased obviously in the other three groups (P0.05). CONCLUSION: Rosiglitazone can decrease the serum level of IL-18 and the expressions of MCP-1 and MMP-9 in aortic atherosclerotic plaque, and inhibit the development of atherosclerosis. The mechanism is related to anti-inflammation.