Oral rapamycin attenuates atherosclerosis without affecting the arterial responsiveness of resistance vessels in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice
Braz. j. med. biol. res
;
42(12): 1191-1195, Dec. 2009. ilus
Artículo
en Inglés
| LILACS
| ID: lil-532304
ABSTRACT
The objective of the present study was to assess the effects of the immunosuppressant rapamycin (Rapamune®, Sirolimus) on both resistance vessel responsiveness and atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E-deficient 8-week-old male mice fed a normal rodent diet. Norepinephrine (NE)-induced vasoconstriction, acetylcholine (ACh)- and sodium nitroprusside (SNP)-induced vasorelaxation of isolated mesenteric bed, and atherosclerotic lesions were evaluated. After 12 weeks of orally administered rapamycin (5 mg·kg-1·day-1, N = 9) and compared with untreated (control, N = 9) animals, rapamycin treatment did not modify either NE-induced vasoconstriction (maximal response 114 ± 4 vs 124 ± 10 mmHg, respectively) or ACh- (maximal response 51 ± 8 vs 53 ± 5 percent, respectively) and SNP-induced vasorelaxation (maximal response 73 ± 6 vs 74 ± 6 percent, respectively) of the isolated vascular mesenteric bed. Despite increased total cholesterol in treated mice (982 ± 59 vs 722 ± 49 mg/dL, P < 0.01), lipid deposition on the aorta wall vessel was significantly less in rapamycin-treated animals (37 ± 12 vs 68 ± 8 µm² x 10³). These results indicate that orally administered rapamycin is effective in attenuating the progression of atherosclerotic plaque without affecting the responsiveness of resistance vessels, supporting the idea that this immunosuppressant agent might be of potential benefit against atherosclerosis in patients undergoing therapy.
Texto completo:
Disponible
Índice:
LILACS (Américas)
Asunto principal:
Apolipoproteínas E
/
Resistencia Vascular
/
Endotelio Vascular
/
Sirolimus
/
Aterosclerosis
/
Inmunosupresores
Límite:
Animales
Idioma:
Inglés
Revista:
Braz. j. med. biol. res
Asunto de la revista:
Biologia
/
Medicina
Año:
2009
Tipo del documento:
Artículo
País de afiliación:
Brasil
Institución/País de afiliación:
Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo/BR
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