Paeonol Ameliorates Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Progression by the NF-κB Pathway.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by localized progressive dilatation. Currently, paeonol has been shown to possess anti-inflammatory and protective cardiovascular properties. Our study aimed to investigate the potential influences of paeonol on AAA progression. METHODS: Experimental AAAs were created in C57BL/6J mice by intra-aortic infusion of porcine pancreatic elastase, and then intragastrically administered paeonol (20 mg/kg/day) for 14 days. The effects of paeonol on experimental AAA were measured by ultrasound imaging, histopathology, and western blot analyses. RESULTS: Paeonol treatment limited the enlargement of the aneurysmal diameter and alleviated the depletion of elastic fibers and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Furthermore, the infiltration of CD68+ macrophages and CD8+ lymphocytes was obviously attenuated after paeonol administration, along with mural neoangiogenesis. Western blot results showed that paeonol inhibited the expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) and the NF-κB pathway activation. CONCLUSIONS: Paeonol might prevent experimental AAA progression by inhibiting the NF-κB pathway, which suggests that it is a potential drug for AAA.