Vascular endothelial cells of Mongolian gerbils are resistant to cholesterol-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative damage.

ABSTRACT

Atherosclerosis is essentially the leading factor behind occurrences of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs)-associated incidents, while mitochondrial dysfunction is also the main cause of atherosclerosis. The present study conducted a comparative analysis of mitochondrial function-related indicators in cholesterol-induced vascular endothelial cells (VECs) from Mongolian gerbils, Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats and humans. It reported that the inhibitory effect of cholesterol treatment on the viability of Mongolian gerbil VECs was markedly lower than the other two types of VECs at the same concentration. Following cholesterol treatment, mitochondrial DNA copy numbers, reactive oxygen species level, calcium concentration and mitochondrial membrane potential of Mongolian gerbil VECs did not change markedly. These results suggested that the function of mitochondria in the VECs of Mongolian gerbil is normal. Additionally, cholesterol treatment also did not alter the levels of superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, ATP, NADH-CoQ reductase and cytochrome c oxidase in Mongolian gerbil VECs. It was hypothesized that the VECs of Mongolian gerbils have certain resistance to oxidative damage induced by cholesterol. In brief, the present study demonstrated that VECs of Mongolian gerbils are resistant to cholesterol-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative damage. The aforementioned findings establish a theoretical foundation for the advancement of innovative strategies in the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis.