Haemodynamically significant plaque formation and regional endothelial dysfunction in cholesterol-fed ApoE-/- mice

• Flow-mediated vasodilation is suggested as one of the mechanisms involved in arterial expansive remodelling, which is thought to be a defence mechanism in atherogenesis. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that lumen obstructive plaque formation is associated with failure of NO (nitric oxide)-dependent vasodilation in conduit vessels. Cardiac function and aortic root flow velocities were assessed using high-resolution echocardiography and two-dimensional-guided pulsed Doppler in ApoE(-/-) (apolipoprotein E-deficient) mice fed a standard or high-cholesterol diet. Endothelial function in the proximal and mid-descending aortic regions was studied using a myograph technique. Flow velocity at the aortic root of cholesterol-fed ApoE(-/-) mice was significantly increased as a result of lumen narrowing, detected via histological analysis. NO-dependent vasodilatory responses were selectively impaired in the atherosclerosis-prone vascular regions in cholesterol-fed ApoE(-/-) mice. In conclusion, consumption of a high-cholesterol diet results in lumen obstructive plaque formation in ApoE(-/-) mice, which significantly alters aortic root haemodynamics. This phenomenon is associated with impaired NO-dependent vasodilation in vessel segments known to be prone to atherosclerosis.

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Medicinska och farmaceutiska grundvetenskaper -- Fysiologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Basic Medicine -- Physiology (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Acetylcholine/pharmacology

Animals

Aorta

Apolipoproteins E/*genetics

Arteries

Arteriosclerosis/*etiology/physiopathology/ultrasonography

Blood Pressure

Cholesterol

Dietary/*administration & dosage

Coronary Vessels/metabolism

Echocardiography

Doppler

Pulsed

Endothelium

Vascular/*physiopathology

Female

Image Processing

Computer-Assisted

Mice

Mice

Inbred C57BL

Mice

Knockout

Nitroprusside/pharmacology

Random Allocation

Vasodilator Agents/pharmacology

Publikations- och innehållstyp

ref (ämneskategori)

art (ämneskategori)