Effect of melatonin on expression and activity of myosin light chain kinase in the artery wall of atherosclerotic rabbits / 中国药理学通报

ABSTRACT

Aim To study the effect of melatonin on expression and activity of myosin light chain kinase in the artery wall of atherosclerotic rabbits.Methods The rabbit model of atherosclerosis was induced by a high-cholesterol diet.The blood lipid levels were assayed in the serum of each group.MLCK expression was detected by Western blot and immunohistochemical method.MLCK activity was measured by ?-32P-ATP incorporation into myosin light chain.Results The atherosclerosis model was established successfully.The levels of lipids decreased after MLT treatment.After fed with cholesterol for twelve weeks,the expression and activity of MLCK in the artery of atherosclerotic rabbits increased markedly,whereas there was no obvious difference in expression of MLCK in the artery of atherosclerotic rabbits fed with cholesterol and melatonin for twelve weeks compared with that of control.Conclusions It was suggest that high expression and activity of MLCK in the artery might be closely correlated with the development of atherosclerosis.Melatonin played an important role in inhibiting the development of atherosclerosis by decreasing the expression and activity of MLCK.