Effects of rosuvastatin on cardiovascular morphology and function in an ApoE-knockout mouse model of atherosclerosis.

This study investigated the effects of rosuvastatin on plaque progression and in vivo coronary artery function in apolipoprotein E-knockout (ApoE-KO) mice, using noninvasive high-resolution ultrasound techniques. Eight-week-old male ApoE-KO mice (n = 20) were fed a high-fat diet with or without rosuvastatin (10 micromol.kg(-1).day(-1)) for 16 wk. When compared with control, rosuvastatin reduced total cholesterol levels (P < 0.05) and caused significant retardation of lesion progression in the brachiocephalic artery, as visualized in vivo using an ultrasound biomicroscope (P < 0.05). Histological analysis confirmed the reduction of brachiocephalic atherosclerosis and also revealed an increase in collagen content in the statin-treated group (P < 0.05). Coronary volumetric flow was measured by simultaneous recording of Doppler velocity signals and left coronary artery morphology before and during adenosine infusion. The hyperemic flow in response to adenosine was significantly greater in left coronary artery following 16 wk of rosuvastatin treatment (P < 0.001), whereas the baseline flow was similar in both groups. In conclusion, rosuvastatin reduced brachiocephalic artery atherosclerotic plaques in ApoE-KO mice. Coronary artery function assessed using recently developed in vivo ultrasound-based protocols, also improved.

Hemin binding and oxidation of lipoproteins in serum: mechanisms and effect on the interaction of LDL with human macrophages.

Most models of lipoprotein oxidation by free radicals have excluded macromolecular plasma components from the system. This limits their biological significance because oxidation of lipoproteins appears to occur in the intima in the presence of a plasma ultrafiltrate. Hemin, a product of in vivo hemoglobin degradation, binds and oxidizes purified lipoproteins. However, it is not known whether this occurs in the presence of plasma components that may sequester hemin. We found that hemin in serum diluted to protein levels of the extracellular fluid (10-30%) binds to low and high density lipoproteins (LDL, HDL) with association constants in the nmol/L range. In the presence of H2O2, hemin oxidizes both lipoproteins in diluted serum with formation of conjugated dienes, thiobarbituric acid reacting substances, and F2-isoprostanes. This appeared to be caused by the high affinity of hemin with LDL and by the Fe3+ liberated that remains associated with the particles after hemin is degraded. Spectrophotometric and fluorescence experiments and electrophoresis of porphyrins complex with LDL indicated that the heme ring is buried in the lipoprotein surface-monolayer with the carboxylic groups in contact with positive regions of the protein and the solvent. Human macrophages associated and degraded 3- to 4-times more hemin-oxidized LDL in diluted serum than native LDL. It is possible then that at sites of LDL, accumulation in the extracellular intima, hemin and H2O2 production could cause oxidation with potential atherogenic consequences for cellular lipoprotein processing. This may occur even when other macromolecules of the extracellular fluid are present.